Good Friday: John 19:13-22, 28-30

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast
anchor of the soul. Hebrews 6:19
(Kirsten Malcolm Berry)

Today is a day when the gloom of the weather - gray, chilly, rainy - matches the gloom of the day. It is Good Friday, the follow-up story to what we experienced last night on Maundy Thursday. It is a bleak day, when we recall Jesus' suffering and death. I told Matt that the poignancy of Good Friday worship, for me, is looking around at the dark sanctuary, which has been stripped of all banners, candles, and decorations. Tonight is the night when we sit and experience what it feels like when "God has left the building."

On this Good Friday, a picture is worth a thousand words. All images are artwork from today's noon Stations of the Cross worship. Each piece was created by a member of our congregation.

FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate spoke to the crowd: "What do you wish me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" So, after flogging Jesus, Pilate handed him over to be crucified.

SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went out to the place called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory and blessing.

THIRD STATION: THE CROSS IS LAID ON SIMON OF CYRENE
As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
A great number of the people followed Jesus, and among them were women who were wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

FIFTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
When they came to a place called Golgotha, they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. The soldiers divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots."

SIXTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Jesus; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, and one on the left. He poured out himself to death, and yet he bore the sin of many.

SEVENTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And when Jesus had received the vinegar he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

EIGHTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.