10th April 2020 - Sounds of Holy Week

Good Friday                   
APC 10th April 2020
 
Introduction and Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our Good Friday reflection.  We’ve been following Jesus through Holy week using our 5 senses. Today is entitled the ‘sound of holy week’ as we listen in to a locker room conversation between the Roman centurion and a soldier in the Roman guard…
But before we eavesdrop on this fascinating conversation let us take a moment to speak to God.  Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, on this day we marvel again at the extent of your love, and especially the pain you were ready to face so that we might receive a life in all its fullness; a pain that goes far beyond anything we can ever imagine or understand.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
We remember the pain of body as thorns were twisted into your head, as the lash tore into your body, as you staggered under the weight of the cross, as nails were hammered into your hands and feet, as you writhed in agony, waiting for the blissful release of death.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
We remember the pain of mind as you came to terms with the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, the faithlessness of your followers and the shouts of “Crucify!” from those who just days before had welcomed you as their King.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
We remember the pain of Spirit as you bore the sins of the world on your shoulders, as you experienced that dreadful sense of isolation from the Father, as you felt yourself to be abandoned, left there to face the awfulness of your fate, alone.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
Lord Jesus Christ, we can never begin to grasp what you went through, me even fully appreciate the scale of the suffering you endured.  But we know that yours was a love greater than we can ever show, and a sacrifice more costly than we can ever offer.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
Open our eyes to the wonder of this day, and help us to respond in the only way we can – with heartfelt gratitude, with joyful praise, and with loving service, offered in your name and for your glory.
Gracious Lord, for all you willingly endured we thank you.
Amen.
Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together…
 
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading   Mark 16 v 33-39    ‘The Death of Jesus’
 
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
 
Monologue – “The Testimony of a Roman Centurion”
Picture a scene where the Roman Centurion who watched Jesus die returns to barracks and after bathing, begins to share his experience with another soldier….
 
Greetings Felix!  At ease soldier, at ease.  I suppose you’re off to the big fight tonight?  I’m sure it will be packed.  I hear this guy Maximus Aurelius is something else!...Me, no.  I was planning to go but I just can’t face it…not after today.
Didn’t you hear?  We crucified that holy man Jesus.  The big deal?!  My entire company is spooked out about the whole thing!  Well, something just wasn’t right from the start.  The streets were packed.  Women were screaming, people were shouting, the whole town was in chaos.  Whatever this guy did, a lot of people thought he was no ordinary man.
I even overheard the boss talking with some of the chief rabbis.  Apparently this guy said he was the son of God.  Yeah, I thought he was crazy too but after what I saw today…I’m not so sure.
For a start, there was something weird about the things he said.  Like, we crucified these two robbers either side of him.  One of them was giving him dog’s abuse shouting, “If you’re the son of God why don’t you save yourself?!”  But the other thief shouts back, “Shut up!  We deserve what we’re getting, but this man is innocent!”  Then he turns to Jesus and asks, “Will you remember me when you enter your Kingdom?”  I’ll never forget what Jesus replied, “I promise you that today you will be with me in paradise.” 
I mean, this guy really thought he was the son of God and that he could forgive people’s sins!
Yeah, I know that’s only his opinion, but what about the darkness?  How do you explain that?  That really freaked me out.  I’ve never experienced anything like it!  I remember looking at my sun dial thinking,  “I’ll get one of the lads to take over here so I can grab a bite of lunch,” when suddenly the lights went out and everybody started screaming and shouting, “Amos’ prophecy is coming true!  God is judging us for rejecting Israel’s King!  Jesus really is who he said he was – God’s Son!”
To be honest, it nearly got to me too, but I managed to get my men together and we tried to calm the crowd as best we could.  Some people just ran away beating their chests and crying out to God for mercy, but eventually we managed to calm those few that remained.  I think after the initial shock we were all curious to see what would happen next.  So I stood opposite Jesus and got my men to position themselves in a circle around the 3 stakes.
I was a bit worried that his followers might try to cut him loose under the cover of this darkness.  Things were pretty tense I can tell you!
I knew I was witnessing something unnatural.  It was as if the gods were trying to get our attention.  I didn’t take my eyes off him.  I strained to hear every groan He made, every word he said.  Three hours must have passed, although I can’t be sure – my sun dial had stopped.  Suddenly he cried out, “My God, why have you left me?”
I hadn’t a clue what he meant, but I overheard some of the crowd saying, “Listen. He’s calling out for Elijah the prophet.  Let’s see if Elijah comes to rescue him.”
I asked somebody about this later.  Apparently the Jews have a tradition that one of their ancient prophets- Elijah, comes down to help good people whenever they are in trouble.
My heart was pounding at this stage.  After all that I’d seen so far, I was nearly expecting the clouds to open up and some heavenly being to come down and rescue him.  “Have your swords ready!” I says to the lads, “and keep your eyes peeled.”
I stared up at Jesus.  He lifted his head.  I stepped back.  I thought he was going to speak to me directly.  “It is finished!” he shouted.  I nearly fell over with shock.
Suddenly I heard what sounded like distant thunder and my feet began to shake.  I thought I was just scared until I realised it wasn’t me that was shaking, it was the ground under my feet.  I started to run but I fell to the ground, my heart was pounding!  I clung to a rock to stop myself shaking.  I thought the end had come!  Then it stopped!  Everything was still, all was quiet.  I looked up.  All around me people were slowly getting to their feet and dusting off their clothes.  Nobody spoke.  I could see cracks in the ground where I’d been standing.  The rocks I’d been holding onto were in pieces.  “Must’ve been an earthquake!” I thought.
“Is anybody hurt?!” I shouted.  “Only minor bruises sarge!” was the reply.  “But he’s stopped breathing!”…  The soldier was pointing to the naked body on the centre cross. 
“Don’t be so foolish!” I snapped.  “He can’t be dead.  He’s only been up there a few hours.”  I knew his last cry had been said with such force, clearly the man wasn’t close to death.
“Right!” I commanded.  “Break their legs.  Let’s get this whole thing wrapped up before anything more happens.  The boss gave me strict orders to have these bodies down before the Jewish Sabbath starts.”
Three of my men approached the stakes.  They broke the legs of the two thieves, then stopped.  “What are you waiting for?” I asked.  “Your’e not afraid are you?!”  “Break the legs of Jesus too!”
“But he’s already dead sarge” came the reply.  I was getting pretty angry at this stage.  “He cant be dead!” I shouted.  “Stick a spear in his heart.”
“Yes sarge,” said the soldier, then he shoved his spear into Jesus’ side.
To my surprise the body didn’t move, Jesus didn’t flinch.
“Well?” I enquired.
“Blood and water sarge.”  “He’s already dead!”
Felix, I still can’t way it up in my mind.  It just doesn’t make sense.  Just moments before this guy Jesus had cried out, “It is finished!”  Now he was dead.  It was as if he had given up His own life when he decided it was time for it to end!
I know it doesn’t make sense, but then, the whole thing was abnormal.  Look Felix, between you and me; this was no ordinary death, this Jesus was no ordinary man.  Maybe he was who he said he was.  What if he is the Son of God?
I know I need to be careful.  I know we’re only supposed to call the emperor ‘the son of God’.  Believe me, I don’t want to blow my chances of Roman citizenship or my pension rights any more than the next centurion.  That’s why I’m asking you to keep this under your helmet.
But I was there Felix!  I saw how this man died!  Maybe he really is the son of God?
I know the implications.  If Jesus is the son of God then I should worship him, not our Roman gods or even the emperor.
If Jesus is the son of God then I need to find out what he taught.
If Jesus is the son of god, then I need to obey his orders.
Yes I know this could mean sacrificing everything.  I know it could mean death.  But if he is the son of God and I refuse to give him my allegiance, what then?
No Felix, I’m not losing my mind!
I saw the darkness.  I felt the earthquake.  I saw the people beating their breasts and crying out to God for mercy!  I heard them say this is the beginning of God’s judgement on the Jews for rejecting God’s King.  Felix, I don’t want to be judged by God for rejecting his son!  Do you?...
Above all, I remember his last words to that thief… “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  Felix, I don’t want to miss paradise.  Do you?...
 
REFLECT            Who do you believe that Jesus is?...Why?...
 
Prayer for Others-
 
Medical Staff
 
Lord, when existing plans have to be scrapped and despite things having to change on a daily basis, we pray that you will give hospital staff the courage and wisdom to make good choices.
 
Lord we pray for more PPE equipment and we ask that you will protect the skin of staff as they continually change their clothing, masks and eye protection.
 
Please give staff courage to do their best despite working in conditions that are so unfamiliar.  May they be afforded every security and protection to enable them to do their job.
 
Lord, please bring the deepest comfort to those who are feeling overwhelmed at watching people die.  May they find the people, the time and space, to be able to unburden their emotions.
 
COViD Patients
Father, we pray especially for those who are dying.  Give wisdom to staff to know what can be done to reduce the anxiety and stress of every patient, especially those who have other underlying conditions.   May each patient know that even though those around them are not family, that they are people who deeply care.  May that knowledge bring them some form of comfort and peace.
 
Management
God we pray that you will continue to provide enough staff to manage those who are sick and to allow those who are on the frontline to find some respite during the week.  Bring swift recovery to those who have fallen ill and courage to those who are anxious and stressed.
We ask that you will give supernatural strength, perseverance and understanding to all who are on the frontlines so that teams and departments may remain united.
We pray especially for those who are team leaders.  Give them clear wisdom, compassion for their colleagues and enable them to communicate as clearly as possible, despite the daily chaos of the situation.
 
Patients without COViD
We pray for patients who have serious underlying health conditions but who are currently COViD free.  Please give wisdom all those involved in our health care system to know how ways may be found to safely meet the ongoing needs of these patients in addition to those who are battling the Corona virus.
 
Closing Words
 
Thanks for logging on.  I hope you’ve been blessed by our time together.  Please remember to tune in again on Easter Sunday as we remember that discouragement, disillusionment and death will not have the final word…Christ is risen, that is something to lift our spirits!
 
Don’t forget to look at our church website or on our Facebook page for latest information.  If you’d like to record a little message of encouragement or a fun clip of something you’ve been doing, please don’t hesitate to send it on to Dave Hendry or myself.  Do keep everyone in your prayers and look out for anyone you can help.  So let me close with a benediction after which, as always, I invite you to join me in saying the grace together…
 
Benediction
 
Jesus, we wait here by your tomb
carrying our grief,
the grief of the betrayer,
the grief of the denier,
the grief of the crucifiers.
We carry the grief of the lost,
the heartbroken, the bereft, the sick and the dying
Upon you was laid the grief of us all.
It is finished.
God of endings, God of darkness,
God of the tomb, God of dark days and great loss,
be with us now as we wait with Jesus.
 
So may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forever more.  Amen.