I have received several emails from community members sharing with me the profound meaning the Good Friday service and the words of my meditation had on them or someone they know(because they were unable to attend). It is a joy in ministry to hear that something you preached has impacted someone.
The Community Good Friday Service sponsored by the Oskaloosa Area Association of Churches (OAAC). IT was held at St. Paul's Congregational United Church of Christ.
Following the opening prayer and singing of "Were You There?" We heard the 7 last words of Christ. They were interspersed with responsive reading, silent prayer, and meditative singing. After the final words "Father, into your hand I commend my spirit." the community choir offered an anthem.
As one of the newest clergy in Oskaloosa, I was charged with the task of giving the meditation for this service. A stressful honor- how would I offer hope through the words of the cross, how would I share with others why this day is just as important to our faith as The Day of Resurrection, how would I preach the gospel in a way that would empower those gathered to remember AND share the event with others. Below is the written version of my meditation. I have tried to add in some of the things I said as the Spirit led me never the less the main point is there. Unfortunately there is no media recording of this service or I would add a link. I hope you gain something from the reading of these words. I will let the end of the meditation speak for itself and thank you now for reading. I pray even in this week after these remembered events, you hear the voice of God speaking to you!
Good Friday Meditation (Luke 23:32-34; Luke 23:39-43; John 19:25-27; Matthew 27:45-46; John 19:28; John 19:30; Luke 23:44-46) Read these verses before reading the meditation.
We have heard the last words of Jesus tonight.
Have you imagined the scene in your mind? When you picture the scene of Good Friday do you see only one cross or do you remember the other two there as well.
The scene is 3 crosses, 3 men (thieves) ALL-some would say- guilty on one or more counts. We read in the scripture that 2 of them men are assumed to be robbers-we don’t know what they have stolen that would lead to the punishment of death, especially death by crucifixion.
We hear the one who taunts Jesus- deriding him and condemning him for not saving himself
The other admitting his guilt and asking forgiveness. Even if he is uncertain what it means to ask for it.
The third man the third cross- was released to the crowd- has been condemned to death with the charge guilty...on the count of essentially trying to change the world.
Closing Prayer and sending forth.
The Community Good Friday Service sponsored by the Oskaloosa Area Association of Churches (OAAC). IT was held at St. Paul's Congregational United Church of Christ.
Following the opening prayer and singing of "Were You There?" We heard the 7 last words of Christ. They were interspersed with responsive reading, silent prayer, and meditative singing. After the final words "Father, into your hand I commend my spirit." the community choir offered an anthem.
As one of the newest clergy in Oskaloosa, I was charged with the task of giving the meditation for this service. A stressful honor- how would I offer hope through the words of the cross, how would I share with others why this day is just as important to our faith as The Day of Resurrection, how would I preach the gospel in a way that would empower those gathered to remember AND share the event with others. Below is the written version of my meditation. I have tried to add in some of the things I said as the Spirit led me never the less the main point is there. Unfortunately there is no media recording of this service or I would add a link. I hope you gain something from the reading of these words. I will let the end of the meditation speak for itself and thank you now for reading. I pray even in this week after these remembered events, you hear the voice of God speaking to you!
Good Friday Meditation (Luke 23:32-34; Luke 23:39-43; John 19:25-27; Matthew 27:45-46; John 19:28; John 19:30; Luke 23:44-46) Read these verses before reading the meditation.
We have heard the last words of Jesus tonight.
Have you imagined the scene in your mind? When you picture the scene of Good Friday do you see only one cross or do you remember the other two there as well.
The scene is 3 crosses, 3 men (thieves) ALL-some would say- guilty on one or more counts. We read in the scripture that 2 of them men are assumed to be robbers-we don’t know what they have stolen that would lead to the punishment of death, especially death by crucifixion.
We hear the one who taunts Jesus- deriding him and condemning him for not saving himself
The other admitting his guilt and asking forgiveness. Even if he is uncertain what it means to ask for it.
The third man the third cross- was released to the crowd- has been condemned to death with the charge guilty...on the count of essentially trying to change the world.
Would you believe me if I told you- one of those crosses belongs to you?
Would you believe me if I remind you that there have been times you were guilty of sneering a Jesus on the Cross, chanting come down from there; save yourself if you truly are the Son of God. Condemning others who have tried and fallen short telling them it is pointless to try to change a world that cannot be changed...
What if I remind you of the times you have recognized Christ by confessing your sins and asking forgiveness, even if it was a last resort. Even if you weren't sure it meant anything at the time...
What if I remind you of the times you have been like Christ-sent by God out into the world to change it, restore it, renew its hope.
Would you believe me then if I told you one of these crosses belongs to you?
We never want to be the cross on the right sneering and condemning- but often we find ourselves there.
We want to be more like the cross on the left but our lives have become so full of "stuff" we don't have time to let go and ask for forgiveness.
We do however, find time to raise ourselves up to be the center cross- the one we feel we carry alone. Forgetting Christ carries it for us and all we must do is follow.
As we reflect of the final words of Christ tonight,
I am convinced we can only remember the Cross of Jesus Christ if we remember the crosses of the two others sentenced to death with him.
As we reflect of the final words of Christ tonight,
I am convinced we can only remember the Cross of Jesus Christ if we remember the crosses of the two others sentenced to death with him.
The one on the right (right hand/arm out to the side) guilty on several counts least of which was condemning Christ for who he claimed himself to be.
The one on the left (left hand/arm out to the side) guilty as well but redeemed even in the final moments with no where else to turn.
Without these two(look at left and right hands stretched into a cross)- the cross in the center, with a man sent to change the world, means nothing.
As followers of Christ we don’t want to think that we could be the one to his left or right but we know we fall short of being the center.
Jesus came to fulfill a role no one else was able to fill.
He becomes our focal point and our measuring stick to whether we are living a life worthy of God’s call.
He becomes our focal point and our measuring stick to whether we are living a life worthy of God’s call.
Good Friday is, however, a time for us to widen our lens to see the picture from a slightly different angle.
To see ourselves on the cross to the left of right tattered and broken BY the world in order for us to return again to the new life Christ offers us because he was tattered and broken FOR the world.
We approach this Holy day of Christ suffering knowing we have failed and fallen short, but Christ meets us here even know and offers us words of hope “today you will be with me in paradise.”
To see ourselves on the cross to the left of right tattered and broken BY the world in order for us to return again to the new life Christ offers us because he was tattered and broken FOR the world.
We approach this Holy day of Christ suffering knowing we have failed and fallen short, but Christ meets us here even know and offers us words of hope “today you will be with me in paradise.”
Closing Prayer and sending forth.
May the brokenness of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Calvary love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us leading us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Leading us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Leading us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Go in anticipation of what is to come. Amen.
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