Good Friday 2024 (MPLS)

(Mark 15:1-2; Mark 14:64; John 19:13, 16)

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. And they all condemned him as deserving death. When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called the Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

(John 19:17; Hebrews 5:8; Isaiah 53:7b; Revelation 5:12)

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

(Lamentations 2:13; Matthew 5:4; Isaiah 60:20b)

What can I say for you, to what compare you, 0 daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, 0 virgin daughter of Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can heal you? Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning will be ended.

(Luke 23:26,·Matthew 16:24, ll:29a, 30)

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(Luke 23:27-28)

A great number of people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

(Matthew 27:33-34, 35b; John 19:24b)

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots. This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, for my clothing they cast lots.”

(Luke 23:33; Mark 15:28)

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled that said, “And he was counted among the lawless.”

(John 19:26-27a, 30; Luke 23:46a; John 19:30b)

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished!” Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

(Matthew 27:57–60a)

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.