On Good Friday, the Church commemorates the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, and his death. This event brings us into the heart of the Christian Gospel: when given a choice between God and themselves, the powers of this world choose themselves. If the Cross was the last word, it would mean the death of God. But stay tuned. God has the first and last word, and through him, death is defeated once and for all. For Christians, therefore, the Cross is a symbol of the death of death.

Collect: Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Appointed Readings:

• Isaiah 52:13-53:12
• Psalm 22
• Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• John 18:1-19:42

Worship Schedule for Good Friday

April 7, 12 noon

About the Image

A portion of the central panel of The Elevation of the Cross, Peter Paul Rubens (1610-11)

Resources