A Not So Good Friday Series

LEADER: “The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ’Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?" Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery. From noon to three, the whole earth was dark.” Matthew 27:41-45 (MSG)

ALL: “But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 (MSG)

Good Friday was not so good. We like the story of the Conquering King – but we squirm at the thought of a Suffering Servant. Yet that is what Jesus was – He was our Suffering Servant – before He became our Conquering King. Tenebrae - it is a day of shadows – it is a day of darkness. Before the dawn – there is dark – at least it was that way on “A Not So Good Friday”.