Friends, welcome to our Good Friday service from Becluse.
It's a very unusual situation for the Worldwide Church.
Normally Easter is such an important time for us.
We get together and we invite friends and family.
Usually our service, especially Good Friday, we'd have lots of people involved.
Whereas today, that's not the case.
It'd usually be a great time for us to invite friends and family to come and share with us Easter breakfast,
our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
And again, sadly, that can't happen this year.
But certainly, we absolutely still need the message of Easter.
We need to know about the death and resurrection of Jesus.
And its significance for us and for the world.
So it's good to spend a few minutes reflecting.
So Good Friday, so today, we'll think about the death of Jesus.
Easter Sunday, we'll think about the resurrection of Jesus.
And then Easter Sunday evening, we'll think about Jesus exalted, reigning in heaven.
And what each of those mean for us.
So let me, as well as welcoming you to Good Friday, let me invite you to Easter Sunday.
And to spread the word, whether it's through Facebook or WhatsApp or emails.
To spread the word, invite friends and family to come together digitally.
To hear about Jesus and the resurrection of hope.
We're going to begin our short time of reflection, singing the hymn,
Man of Sorrows.
And Kellen will lead us in our singing.
Man of Sorrows.
What a name for the Son of God who came.
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Guilty, violent, helpless, weak,
Spotless Lamb of God was He.
Full atonement can it be.
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
It is finished was His cry,
Now in heaven exalted high,
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing,
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Now I want to read from Mark chapter 15.
So we finished a Christianity Explored course,
I guess fairly shortly before lockdown.
So I want to look at what Mark says
about the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
So we're going to read Mark chapter 15
at verse 25 to verse 32 in the first place.
It was the third hour when they crucified Jesus.
The written notice of the charge against Him read,
The King of the Jews.
They crucified two robbers with Him,
one on His right and one on His left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at Him,
shaking their heads and saying,
So you who are going to destroy the temple
and build it in three days,
come down from the cross and save yourself.
In the same way,
the chief priests and the teachers of the law
mocked Him among themselves.
He saved others, they said,
but He can't save Himself.
Let this Christ, this King of Israel,
come down now from the cross,
that we may see and believe.
Those crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him.
Let's pray together.
Lord, we sang of Jesus, the man of sorrows.
We recognise in His life that though the Son of God
in human form, He didn't stay removed
from our experience of pain and suffering,
but rather He has experienced life
in a broken and fallen world.
He has experienced the pain of loneliness
and rejection and suffering
that we see most profoundly at the cross.
Lord, we thank you for Jesus coming to be
our suffering Saviour,
that He was willing to come
as part of your eternal plan to save sinners,
that Jesus would be that sacrifice
offered once for all to forgive our sins,
to wash us clean,
so that we could know you
and enjoy life with you.
Lord, we thank you
that you are not a God
who is unconcerned about the world
that you have made,
that we see in Jesus
how much you cared
for those who were hurting,
for those who were hopeless,
for those who knew sadness and trouble.
Lord, so much of our world
is experiencing sorrow and suffering,
and we ask that in mercy
you would be present
with those who need your help.
We again thank you
for those doctors and nurses
who are working around the clock
in order to save lives
and to bring healing.
And we ask that you would protect them.
Lord, perhaps in our minds
we think of those doctors and nurses
and health professionals
that we know personally,
and we pray that they would be aware
of your presence and help.
We thank you for other key workers
who are helping to keep our country moving.
Lord, we again commit our government to you,
asking that you would give them
all the wisdom that they need.
We pray that there would be unity and clarity,
and we pray that again in your mercy
we would see this virus being turned back.
We pray for a sparing of life.
And Lord, this would be a time
when many would go to church
in order to worship,
in order to hear words of hope,
but they can't.
We're so thankful for the internet.
And we pray that as people listen online
over this weekend,
that you by your spirit would speak to us
and would teach us again
the good news of Jesus.
And we pray in his name.
Amen.
Now, let's read again.
We're going to read another short passage
from Mark chapter 15,
and then we'll think about it together
for a few minutes.
There at verse 33,
we read,
At the sixth hour,
darkness came over the whole land
until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour,
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani,
which means,
My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?
When some of those standing near heard this,
they said,
Listen,
he's calling Elijah.
One man ran,
filled a sponge with wine vinegar,
put it on a stick,
and offered it to Jesus to drink.
Now leave him alone.
Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down,
he said.
With a loud cry,
Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple
was torn in two
from top to bottom,
And when the centurion,
who stood there in front of Jesus,
heard his cry
and saw how he died,
he said,
Surely this man
was the Son of God.
Today I want us to think
about Good Friday,
to recognise
that Jesus endures isolation
so that you and I
might enjoy intimacy
with God.
We have come to discover,
haven't we,
that isolation causes
hardship
and heartache.
Our news is filled
with heartbreaking stories
and maybe
your own story
has known
some of that heartache.
Funerals
where families
can't attend.
People having to be
buried
by themselves
with no one
to mourn
for them.
We have heard stories
of victims
of COVID-19
spending their last hours
alone
with loved ones
unable to visit.
We have heard
and read
of doctors
and nurses
brought to their knees
by the extent
of the suffering
that they are witnessing,
the exhaustion
as they spend
themselves
to care
for those
who are
seriously,
seriously ill
and dying.
Isolation
causes
heartache.
Whether your experience
today
is one of
heartache
and feeling
the weight of that
or whether you are
enduring,
as is common
to us all,
the hardships
and the inconveniences
of isolation.
This virus
is teaching us
some painful
lessons.
One of the things
it's reminding us of
is that as people
we are made
for community.
We are made
for relationships.
So that separation
and loss
hurt.
And into that
I want to say
that in this
darkness
that we're experiencing
not just nationally
but globally,
Good Friday
provides deep
resources
to provide
hope
and comfort
for you
and for me.
I want us to see
that on the cross
Jesus
endures
infinite
isolation.
Let me remind you
of the mocking
words of verse 31
that we read.
Some of the religious
leaders mocking
Jesus.
He saved
others
but he can't
save himself.
Now they are
profoundly wrong
in that.
Jesus could call
down
legions of
angels
to save
himself
but he
won't
because he
knows this
is the
father's plan
and he is
willing and
obedient to
that plan.
He has
come on
God's rescue
mission.
He is
God's Christ.
He is anointed
for the special
task of
saving
people.
And so
he has
come
as Mark
reminds us
to give
his life
as a
ransom
to pay
the price
to release
people from
slavery,
slavery to
sin as we
discover.
So Jesus
won't save
himself because
this is the
only way for
you and I
to be
forgiven.
It is the
only hope for
us to have
our guilt
before God
removed.
It is the
only way that
peace with
God can be
restored.
It is God's
means for
granting
eternal life
to us.
So Jesus
has come on
a rescue
mission as
our substitute
taking sin
and its
punishment.
And that's
what we see
on Good
Friday as
Jesus is
dying on
the cross.
And we
can connect
this with
the experience
of isolation
if we go
all the way
back to
the Garden
of Eden
beginning of
the Bible
as God
is surveying
as it were
his perfect
creation he
says there's
one thing
that's not
good.
He says
it's not
good for
the man
to be
alone.
So in
God's
eyes a
perfect
life is
a life
in which
we have
loving
relationships.
That
begins with
a loving
relationship
with God
our creator
and our
sustainer
but it
also includes
loving
relationships
with people.
We are
made for
families and
friendships and
for community.
And one of
the amazing
things about
what's been
happening during
the virus is
to see the
solidarity and
the community
that's emerged.
You know,
think about a
few months ago
all the division
and the tension
because of
Brexit.
That's all
forgotten now.
People are
pulling together.
So whether
that's
clapping for
the NHS,
whether it's
virtual choirs,
whether it's
people doing
PE with
Joe,
whether it's
digital church,
we are
being reminded
that we
need
others.
And technology
is making
those gatherings
possible and
we're so
thankful.
But it's
also a
reminder of
the problem
of sin.
So the
Bible says
to us
that one
of the
things sin
does is
it isolates.
It separates
us.
So when Adam
and Eve,
when they
sinned against
God,
they first
of all
rejected God,
so they
separated
themselves
from God
and when
God came
looking for
them,
they hid
from God.
So there
is that
isolation
between God
and people
because of
sin.
But then
sin also
causes separation
between us
in our
human
relationships
too,
doesn't
it?
You think
about the
impact of
anger or
gossip or
jealousy or
lies and
how that can
cause
relationships to
break down
and for
separation
to happen.
And
further,
isolation
also speaks
to us of
the punishment
due to
sin.
So God
announced to
Adam and
Eve,
and it
says it
in other
parts of
the Bible,
that the
wages of
sin is
death.
Spiritual
death,
which is
eternal
isolation
and separation
from God
and all
his goodness
and love.
Remember,
every good
thing we
have comes
from our
good God.
Eternal
punishment,
it is when
all that is
left of us
to experience
from God
is his
just
judgment
against sin.
That's a
very somber,
sobering
reality.
To
recognise
that without
Jesus,
your sin
and mine
separates
you from
the loving
relationship
with God
that you
are made
for.
But here's
the good
news of
Good
Friday.
Why do
we call
it Good
Friday?
Because here
we see
that despite
human evil
as they
put Jesus
to death
that is
God's
good and
loving
plan of
salvation,
Jesus has
come to
rescue us.
We read
of Jesus
when he's
on the
cross,
we read
of a
supernatural
darkness
coming.
Jesus
plunges
himself
into the
darkness
of God's
judgment
in order
to save
us.
Jesus
in love
for a
sinful
world
takes
the
exclusion
that you
and I
deserve
opening
the way
for us
to enjoy
God's
embrace
by faith
in him.
And that
takes us
to verse
34.
Verse
34,
what's
happening
here?
Jesus
cries out
in a
loud
voice
words
which
mean
my
God,
my
God,
why
have
you
forsaken
me?
Now
people who
have
studied
the
Bible
recognise
that
every
time
Jesus
prays
in the
Bible
he
calls
God
his
father
except
here
he
says
my
God,
my
God.
What's
happening
here?
Jesus
as he
is
bearing
our
sins
he
feels
forsaken
by
his
father
or to
put it
another
way
he
feels
isolated
from
separated
from
his
father
having
known
the
perfect
infinite
love
of God
for
all
eternity
here
on the
cross
going
under
God's
judgment
for sin
for the
very
first
time
he
loses
his
sense
of
his
father's
love
as
he
is
overtaken
by
that
sense
of
being
under
God's
wrath
and
judgment
on
sin
as
it
doesn't
fall
on
the
people
who
deserve
it
that's
us
but as
it
falls
on
Jesus
because
of
God's
grace
and
kindness
sin
why
did
he
endure
that
experience
why
the
isolation
and
the
only
answer
is
that
he
does
it
for
you
and
for
me
that
on
the
cross
Jesus
faces
the
exclusion
that
we
deserve
our
sin
should
separate
us
from
God
and
his
love
forever
because
we've
turned
our
back
on
him
and
we've
made
God
our
enemy
Jesus
takes
our
place
and
takes
our
punishment
so
the
price
for
our
salvation
is
Jesus
exclusion
and
he's
willing
to
pay
that
price
so
Jesus
does
that
so
that
you
and
I
might
enjoy
intimacy
and
embrace
when
we
read
the
death
of
Jesus
this
is
no
ordinary
death
this
is
not
an
ordinary
feeling
of
loneliness
during
a
time
of
suffering
and
we
have
heard
and
read
of
much
in
terms
of
people
suffering
and
dying
alone
this
is
more
this
is
deeper
and
more
profound
even
than
that
here
is
as
Turretan
puts
it
the
son
of
God
condemned
for
us
by
God
and
immediately
we
begin
to
see
the
effects
of
Christ
death
so
Mark
as
he
writes
his
gospel
he
takes
his
camera
lens
and
he
moves
from
the
cross
panning
over
towards
the
temple
in
Jerusalem
and
what's
happening
there
verse
38
the
curtain
of
the
temple
was
torn
in
two
from
top
to
bottom
what
was
this
curtain
it
was
the
barrier
within
the
temple
separating
holy
God
from
sinful
people
that
barrier
is
now
removed
the
no
entry
sign
has
been
taken
down
now
there
is
access
how
because
Jesus
body
has
been
torn
in
two
on
the
cross
that's
how
we
can
have
access
to
a
holy
and
a
perfect
God
now
through
Jesus
we
can
enter
God's
presence
and
experience
his
joy
and
all
because
Jesus
feels
excluded
by
his
father
so
that
you
and
I
by
trusting
in
Jesus
can
be
embraced
by
our
father
in
heaven
Jesus
felt
isolated
from
his
father
as
he
carries
our
sin
so
if
we
trust
Jesus
as
our
saviour
he
forgives
our
sins
so
that
we
can
enjoy
intimacy
of
knowing
and
enjoying
God
Father
Son
and
Holy
Spirit
so
this
good
Friday
let's
remember
with
thankfulness
Jesus
isolation
what does
it mean
for you
and me
today
as we
sit on
our own
and in
small
groups
as our
churches
lie
empty
when there's
so much
chaos
and fear
around
this
loving
sacrifice
Jesus
losing
a sense
of his
father's
love
means
that
you
and I
need
never
go
through
that
we
can
always
know
the
love
of
God
and
Jesus
who
is
God
with
us
it
means
for us
too
that
the
suffering
saviour
when we
look at
Jesus
dying
on the
cross
it's
proof
of
God's
love
here
is
God
in
love
satisfying
his
justice
as
Jesus
pays
for sin
on our
behalf
demonstrating
his
love
in the
cost
to bring
us
back
to
himself
for a
world
broken
by sin
the
cross
is
God's
loving
response
it's
a gift
for you
and me
to receive
by faith
and it
also means
for us
that we
have a
God
who
identifies
with us
Jesus
identifies
with us
in pain
in suffering
in isolation
and he
promises
just as
he was
with us
then
taking our
place
at the
cross
he is
with
his
people
now
and more
than that
he also
gives us
future hope
of an
end
to suffering
there is
this glorious
promise that
Jesus will
come back
and he'll
make all
things new
and he'll
take his
people
to be
with him
forever
and we
will live
those who
are trusting
in Jesus
will live
free of
sin
free of
suffering
free of
virus
free of
death
free to
enjoy the
loving
community
that we
were made
for
free to
enjoy
the eternal
embrace
of our
God
and Saviour
there is
good news
in Good
Friday
in our
isolation
now let's
sing
together
once again
the modern
hymn
the power
of the
cross
oh to
see the
dawn
of the
darkest
day
Christ
on the
road
to
Calvary
tried
by
sinful
men
torn
and beaten
then
nailed
to
a
cross
of
wood
this
the
power
of
the
cross
Christ
became
sin
for
us
took
the
blame
for
the
wrath
we
stand
forgiven
at
the
cross
oh to
see the
pain
written
on your
face
bearing
the
awesome
weight
of
sin
every
bitter
thought
every
evil
deed
crowning
your
blood
stained
brow
this
the
power
of
the
cross
Christ
became
sin
for
us
took
the
blame
bore
the
wrath
we
stand
forgiven
at
the
cross
them
the
opf
his
God
me
you
and
bet
mad
bows his head curtain torn in two dead are raised to life finish the victory
this is the
the power of the cross christ became sin for us took the blame
for the wrath we stand forgiven at the cross
oh to see my name written in the word
for through your suffering i am free
death is crushed to death life is mine to live
one through your selfless love
this is the power of the cross
son of god
slave for us
what a love
what a cost
we stand forgiven
at the cross
what a love
what a cost
we stand forgiven
at the cross
now i wanted to close by reading psalm 22
this psalm which prophesied the suffering and the victory of jesus a psalm written by david hundreds of years
and before jesus came but speaking powerfully of his suffering and his victory
and so i'll read as we finish
my god
why have you forsaken me
why are you so far from saving me
so far from the words of my groaning
oh my god
i cry out by day
but you do not answer
by night
and am not silent
yet you are enthroned as the holy one
you are the praise of israel
in you our fathers put their trust
they trusted and you delivered them
they cried to you and were saved
in you they trusted and were not disappointed
but i am a worm and not a man
scorned by men and despised by the people
all who see me mock me
they hurl insults shaking their heads
he trusts in the lord
let the lord rest in the lord
let him deliver him
since he delights in him
yet you brought me out of the womb
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast
from birth i was cast upon you
from my mother's womb
you have been my god
do not be far from me
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help
many bulls surround me
strong bulls of bashan encircle me
roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me
i am poured out like water
and all my bones are out of joint
my heart has turned to wax
it has melted away within me
my strength is dried up like a pot sherd
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth
you lay me in the dust of death
dogs have surrounded me
a band of evil men has encircled me
they have pierced my hands and my feet
i can count all my bones
people stare and gloat over me
they divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing
but you oh lord be not far off
oh my strength come quickly to help me
deliver my life from the sword
my precious life from the power of the dogs
rescue me from the mouth of the lions
save me from the horns of the wild oxen
i will declare your name to my brothers
in the congregation i will praise you
you who fear the lord praise him
all you descendants of jacob honour him
revere him all you descendants of israel
for he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help
from you comes the theme of my praise
in the great assembly
before those who fear you
will i fulfill my vows
the poor will eat and be satisfied
they who seek the lord will praise him
may your hearts live forever
all the ends of the earth will remember
and turn to the lord
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him
for dominion belongs to the lord
and he rules over the nations
all the riches of the earth will feast
and worship
all who go down to the dust will kneel
before him
those who cannot keep themselves alive
posterity will serve him
future generations will be told about the lord
they will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn
for he has done it
we will come
towards the earth
even around the pasapas
by which he trains the bells
he lurid
holler
but he reflecting
his presence
with the yester
with the might
Erin
in
this
one
i