Love Poured Out

Introduction to the Service

This morning, we gather in quiet reflection to remember the cross. This is a solemn space — a moment to pause, to listen, and to reflect on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice.

Good Friday is a day of sorrow, but not of despair. It is a day of grief, but also of love — the greatest love ever shown. As we journey through scripture, song, poetry, and silence, we will step into the story of Jesus’ suffering, His final words, and His willingness to surrender for our sake.

There is no rush. You’re invited to sit in the weight of these moments, to let the words sink deep, and to bring before God your own prayers and reflections.

After each reading and reflection, there will be a time of silence. In that silence, allow the Holy Spirit to help you be present before the cross and mourn, give thanks, and worship.

May this time touch our hearts, not just for the sorrow of today, but for the hope that is to come.

Mark 14

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Mark 15

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

(Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:1-6)

Who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces

he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

• Reflective text: Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, bore our griefs. As we reflect on the cross, we remember that He carried our sin, our shame, and our pain.

• In the silence, let us bring before Him our burdens, knowing He has already borne them.

Moment of silence

2. Worship Song: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”

(Scripture Reading: Luke 23:33-34)

• 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

• 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’

• 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’

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• Reflective text: On the cross, love spoke through suffering. Even as He was nailed to the wood, Jesus spoke forgiveness. Where do we need to receive His forgiveness today?

Where have we mocked Jesus by claiming His name but denying His lordship?

Where have we sneered at His mercy by refusing to believe He can save us?

Where have we hammered a nail into His hands by our sin?