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Lectionary Notes - Good Friday
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Readings for
Good Friday, 4/10/09:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25, John
18:1-19:42
Isaiah 52:13-53:12:
- Here Isaiah describes the
suffering servant, and no surprise, we easily see Jesus reflected in this
image. Isaiah seems to focus on the theme of how this servant will be what no
one is looking for, but what everyone will give attention to when revealed.
- "by a perversion of justice he
was taken away." This sentence particularly strikes - if we apply this to
Jesus, we read that it is an act of injustice that takes Jesus away to death.
Do we remember to think of it that way? We get so caught up in his sacrifice,
in God's plan laid out, that I think we forget that what happened to Jesus,
even if it worked for our good, was wrong!
- "It was the will of the Lord to
crush him with pain." Eek! I hope not. I'm not sure that this is ever God's
will, exactly, or that way that God would hope and desire for things to turn
out. I think God works through human deeds of pain and hurt, but I hope God
doesn't will them on us.
Psalm 22:
- "My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?" These words, which open the Psalm, are found on Jesus' lips on
the cross. Some say he was reciting the Psalm, to comfort others. People don't
like to think about Jesus feeling forsaken by God. But I think it is ok to
believe Jesus felt alone in that moment - because despite his feelings, he had
faith enough to follow through with what he believed was God's call for him.
- Surely, we've all felt forsaken
by God sometimes. Alone. Finding "no rest" as the Psalmist describes. The
scene the Psalmist describes is one of fear and desperation to feel God's
presence. Have you experienced this? When? How? Did you find God present
there?
Hebrews 10:16-25:
- These first two verses are more or less quoted from
Jeremiah 31:33-34. Notice, though, that the author of Hebrews has the laws in
our hearts but also written on our minds. I like the imagery.
- "let us consider how to provoke one another to love and
good deeds" - Another good verse. We often provoke people around us, but
usually when we do so, it is not in a good way! Here, we're encouraged to
provoke each other in a positive way, a way that inspires serving God. Good
advice!
John 18:1-19:42:
- from John we get part of the
Passion from Palm/Passion Sunday, only from
John's perspective instead of Matthew. Double check for what is different in
each text. As with that text from Matthew, I find this one hard to comment on
- it's such a story, it is so big, literally and theologically.
- This text has several pieces, or
vignettes. Judas betraying Jesus to the authorities. Peter denying Jesus.
Jesus on trial before Pilate. Jesus beaten. Jesus crucified. And an "epilogue"
of sorts. Any part could be an area of specific focus, though 'time' wise,
Good Friday's focus is the crucifixion.
- To me, what jumps out as full of
possibilities is Pilate's question: "what is truth?" John does not record
Jesus giving an answer. How do you think he would have answered? What is your
answer?
Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English
Lexicon from Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell”
and the Metzger et. al Greek New Testament in my translation work.)
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