Good Friday "Virtual" Tenebrae Service (April 10, 2020)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Good Friday Tenebrae “Virtual” Service
April 10, 2020
A Good Friday Tenebrae service is unlike any others. It’s meant to be slow-paced and reflective. It consists of six fairly long texts—two chapters of the Gospel of John—that carry Jesus from his betrayal in the Garden to his death on the cross.
The “best” way to utilize the Tenebrae service is to be unhurried, an advantage to a “virtual” service where you can pause and return to it as you are able. Traditionally, six candles—plus a “Christ” candle—are used. The six candles are extinguished, one at a time, at the conclusion of each reading. The Christ candle remains lit (though it “disappears” for a brief while before returning)!
Prelude
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth, Tune: AN WASSERFLUSSEN BABYLON
Robert Prester and Adriana Samargia
CALL TO WORSHIP
Hosea 6:1-6
Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.
BETRAYED
Some notes on this reading. Jesus is not a victim in the Gospel of John. He (of course!) is in control and both knows and assents to what is happening. Notice how Jesus is the one who speaks first and who interrogates his interrogators!
Also, note that each time Jesus says “I am he” (which happens three times), he is saying “ego eimi” in Greek, which is best heard as I AM, the name by which God refers to himself.
Finally, notice how Jesus intervenes to stop Simon Peter from intervening in trying to prevent Jesus from being handed over to the soldiers, saying, “Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
John 18:1–11 NRSV
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Lights are dimmed as the first candle is extinguished.
Isaiah 53.6-8a
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that was led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
DENIED
This next scene is filled with irony after irony. First we are reminded of Caiaphas’ ironic words that “it was better to have one person die for the people.” How right he was, without knowing it! It was better—for the salvation of all—that Jesus die for the people.
The greatest ironies, however, surround Simon Peter. In the second paragraph Simon “follows Jesus,” which is what all of Jesus’ disciples are called to do. But then, under repeated questioning, Simon Peter turns Jesus’ “I am” into his “I am not.” (The true role of Jesus’ followers is to do what Jesus later says to his interrogators, “Ask those who heard what I said …” We are to share the words of Jesus with others, not deny them as Simon Peter does!
And, finally, there is the charcoal fire. (Without Jesus) Simon Peter is so cold he needs to hover near a fire. This fire will return in the last scene of this gospel when the resurrected Lord makes breakfast for his followers and Jesus now asks Simon three times “Do you love me?” Peter’s three answers counter-balances his three denials in this scene.
John 18:12–27 NRSV
So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Lights are dimmed as the second candle is extinguished.
Psalm 34:11-22
Come, children, and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who among you loves life and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
Keep your tongue from evil-speaking and your lips from lying words.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
He will keep safe all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be punished who trust in him.
TRIED
Keep your eye on Pilate! This scene is a “sandwhich” consisting of three parts. At the beginning and end Pilate goes out to consult with the Jewish authorities. And in the middle, Pilate comes inside to question Jesus.
This is not the silent Jesus from the gospels of Mark and Matthew, where Jesus is silent before Pilate. This Jesus enters into dialogue with Pilate about the true nature of power and authority (or “kingship”). Pilate assumes that those in power can command force to stay in power; Jesus asserts that real power is not force but truth! Jesus defines his role as king as the witness who asserts the claim of God on the world, a claim that will soon be fulfilled—ironically—by giving himself over to death.
John 18:28–40 NRSV
Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.
Lights are dimmed as the third candle is extinguished.
Hymn
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
It isn't Good Friday (for me) without this plaintive hymn! Here are Robert and Adriana leading it.
Here is a simple version by Trinity Music and Tove Johnson, with guitar accompaniment
Here is a more traditional version with organ accompaniment
O Sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown;
O sacred head, what glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever,
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.Lord, be my consolation;
shield me when I must die;
remind me of thy passion
when my last hour draws nigh.
These eyes, new faith receiving,
from thee shall never move;
for they who die believing
die safely in thy love.
Psalm 69:18-23
"Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind; in your great compassion, turn to me.
Hide not your face from your servant; be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
Draw near to me and redeem me; because of my enemies deliver me.
You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; my adversaries are all in your sight."
Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot be healed; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I could find no one.
They gave me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
DELIVERED
In the accounts of Jesus’ passion in the other gospels, Jesus’ torture, mockery, and en-robe-ment and crowning as “king” occurs after Pilate is done with him and just before Jesus is crucified. Not in John! Here, we are still in the midst of Pilate’s back-and-forth appearances to the Jewish authorities and, then, to Jesus. In that always-ironic sense, then, Jesus is publicly shown as the true King he is: his only “power” being love and devotion to God.
Dressed before them as a (wounded and suffering) King, the Jewish authorities—ironically—rightly say, “he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”
There is a time when Jesus is silent before Pilate in this scene. Pilate asks Jesus the question, “Where are you from?” This is not a question that Jesus can answer for Pilate; Pilate must come to that belief himself. (Jesus is “from above,” as we have seen throughout the gospel.)
As this scene draws to a close, Jesus testifies where (all) true power originates: from above! So even Pilate and the Jewish authorities’ decision to crucify the Son of God comes not from themselves but “from above,” from God! Jesus is not a victim of crucifixion in the Gospel of John; Jesus will use crucifixion to fulfill his role as the true source of power and authority on earth. He is our true King!
John 19:1–16 NRSV
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”
Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.”
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. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
Lights are dimmed as the fourth candle is extinguished.
Psalm 22:1-10
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me and are so far from my cry, and from the words of my distress?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest.
Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Our forefathers put their trust in you; they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people.
All who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
"He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, if he delights in him."
Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
CRUCIFIED
Ah, Holy Jesus
Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended,
that mortal judgment has on you descended?
By foes derided, by your own rejected,
O most afflicted.Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon you?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, has undone you.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied you;
I crucified you.Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay you,
I do adore you, and will ever pray you:
think on your pity and your love unswerving,
not my deserving.
The commentary on this scene will mostly be shared in the message which follows. Note, however, how Jesus actively participates in this scene! He is no victim! He carries his own cross. He declares his work “finished” (or “complete” or “perfect”). And, above he gives up his spirit! He, in effect, decides when—and how—to die!
John 19:16–30 NRSV
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. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 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.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Lights are dimmed as the fifth candle is extinguished.
Psalm 22:11-18
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.
Many young bulls encircle me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
They open wide their jaws at me, like a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart within my breast is melting wax.
My mouth is dried out like a potsherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; they pierce my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
Be not far away, O Lord; you are my strength; hasten to help me.
Sermon
The Best Day of His Life!
Pastor Carlson
Offering
Ubi Caritas Gregorian Chant
BURIED
LESSON: John 19:31–42 NRSV
Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
The final candle is extinguished (leaving only the Christ candle lit
Isaiah 53.3-5a
He was despised and rejected: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom they hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole and with his stripes we are healed.
The Bidding Prayer
The Bidding Prayer is the ancient and traditional prayer for Good Friday.
Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church throughout the world.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
you have shown your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ.
By your Holy Spirit guide the church
and gather it throughout the world.
Help it to persevere in faith, proclaim your name,
and bring the good news of salvation in Christ to all people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for Elizabeth and Patricia, our bishops, for Mike and Kathy, our pastor(s), for our staff, and all servants of the church, and for all the people of God.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
your Spirit guides the church and makes it holy.
Strengthen and uphold our bishops, pastors,
other ministers, and lay leaders.
Keep them in health and safety for the good of the church,
and help each of us in our various vocations
to do faithfully the work to which you have called us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those preparing for baptism.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, you continue to bless the church.
Increase the faith and understanding of those preparing for baptism.
Give them new birth as your children,
and keep them in the faith and communion of your holy church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for our sisters and brothers who share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, you give your church unity.
Look with favor on all who follow Jesus your Son.
Make all the baptized one in the fullness of faith,
and keep us united in the fellowship of love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and your teaching to Moses.
Hear our prayers that the people you called and elected as your own
may receive the fulfillment of the covenant’s promises.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, gather into your embrace
all those who call out to you under different names.
Bring an end to inter-religious strife,
and make us more faithful witnesses
of the love made known to us in your Son.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, you created humanity
so that all may long to know you and find peace in you.
Grant that all may recognize the signs of your love and grace
in the world and in the lives of Christians,
and gladly acknowledge you as the one true God.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for God's creation.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
you are the creator of a magnificent universe.
Hold all the worlds in the arms of your care
and bring all things to fulfillment in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those who serve in public office.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
you are the champion of the poor and oppressed.
In your goodness, give wisdom to those in authority,
so that all people may enjoy justice, peace, freedom,
and a share in the goodness of your creation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those in need.
Silent prayer.
Almighty and eternal God,
you give strength to the weary
and new courage to those who have lost heart.
Heal the sick, comfort the dying, give safety to travelers,
free those unjustly deprived of liberty,
and deliver your world from falsehood, hunger, and disease.
Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble,
that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask. ...
At the conclusion of the prayer the Christ candle is removed and all lights are extinguished.
Musical Reflection
My Song is Love Unknown, Crossman/Ireland
Let us pray. Almighty God, we beg you in your mercy to look upon this your family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer death upon the cross. Amen.
Postlude
Calvary (Every Time I think about Jesus), traditional African American spiritual