Good Friday Sermon and Video
Good Friday
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 19:17-30
O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
As a way to further our reflection and devotion to Jesus on this Holy Friday, I want to read an extended poem that asks and answers the question of why Jesus dies on a cross for our sakes. Jesus is without sin. He is the perfect God-Man. He commits no crime. He has only accomplished good in our world. He has simply taught God’s Word, healed the sick, cast out demons, fed thousands, and loved those around him. He has treated the righteous and unrighteous with dignity and generosity. Yet, he dies a terrible death reserved for criminals and slaves. Why does He do it? Why does He let Himself be arrested and abused and nailed to a cross?
The answer is that He is committed to us. Adam, Eve, and the rest of us are created out of love. When Adam and subsequent generations turned their back on God’s reasonable requests for fidelity to humane living, God chose to remain committed to us.
We are lost. Most of the time we do not even know that we are lost. Yet, He finds us. He is committed to us. His death on the cross is how He bring us home. Where our sin will keep us from the full embrace of God’s love and our heavenly home, Jesus covers our sin with his sacrificial blood and we are declared righteousness and forgiven.
God is committed to us. Jesus’ death on the cross is the final, most generous act of love, that God can show us. If you would like to follow along, the poem is found as hymn 439, O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken.
Lutheran Service Book 439 (in the public domain)
1 O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?
2 They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.
3 Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.
4 What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.
5 The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted;
God is committed.
6 There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.
7 O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.
8 O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?
9 For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder—-
Thy woes, Thy mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?
10 Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.
11 But since my strength will nevermore suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12 I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.
13 Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me.
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me.
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
14 But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.
15 And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.
(written by Johann Heermann, 1585-1647; translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878)
https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/439
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph1w1f7txD8
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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