The King and the Cross – Good Friday
In this somber Good Friday service, we pause to listen to the Gospel of Mark’s account of Jesus’ final day on earth. The message walks through the heavy moments of the Passion—from the trial before Pilate and the release of Barabbas to the cruel mockery of the Roman battalion.
This reflection challenges us to look closely at the "broken body and poured-out blood" that was first remembered at the Lord's Supper the night before. It is a call to become deeply aware of the suffering Jesus endured so that we could be forgiven and "brought home" to the Father. Join us as we reflect on the weight of the cross and the magnitude of the sacrifice that secured our salvation.
Key Topics:
The Choice of the Crowd: Exploring Pilate’s attempt to satisfy the crowd by releasing Barabbas and delivering Jesus to be crucified.
The Mockery of the Soldiers: A look at the battalion's use of a purple cloak and a crown of thorns to humiliate the "King of the Jews".
The Road to Golgotha: The significance of Simon of Cyrene and the arrival at the "Place of a Skull".
The Lord’s Supper Connection: How the symbols of the bread and cup from the previous night find their fulfillment on the cross.
The Purpose of Suffering: Understanding that Christ’s physical and spiritual endurance was the necessary price for our forgiveness.