A Good Friday Liturgy: Forgiven

This year for our Good Friday Service we are focusing on three of the last seven words of Christ – “Forgiven,” “Forsaken,” and “Finished” – and share a Scripture Reading corresponding to each of the three words. For the first word – Forgiven – I arranged selections from Luke 23 into a Responsive Reading to help the congregation move into a place of feeling the tension, the back and forth, and the culpability that we all participate in Christ being given over to the cross. This sets us up to understand our need for forgiveness, the depth of grace offered through forgiveness, and the power of Christ to forgive even those who crucified Him; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

Our church doesn’t use responsive readings all that often, but when we do, I think they are beautiful, invitational spaces to experience Scripture in a fresh and alive way. Through liturgy we embody, we say, and we hear the sometimes same old words in new rhythms. Far from being rote or ritual, common (good) liturgy gives us words that we can speak to shape our own minds and spirits. Just like sometimes we sing ourselves the truth in musical worship, sometimes we speak to ourselves the truth of Scripture through liturgy; or in this case, we speak ourselves into the truth of the text and the setting. As I was re-reading Luke I was very moved, as I was once again confronted by the the truth of what happened on that day. I was reminded of the power of this season of Lent, as my own guilt, my own need, and also my gratitude all rose up bright within me. I pray that this season, and these words, may do the same for you – through the truth of the power of Jesus’ Name. Amen.

A Good Friday Congregational Responsive Reading:

Selections from Luke 23

ALL:  (please stand)

Then the whole assembly rose and took Jesus to Pilate. ^2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be the Messiah, and a King.”

LEADER:

³So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” ^ “You have said it is so,” Jesus replied. ^4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

CONGREGATION:

^5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

LEADER:

^13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,^14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ^15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ^16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

CONGREGATION:

^18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with him! Release Barabbas the murderer to us instead!” ^20 Because he wanted to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ^21 But the crowd kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

LEADER:

^22 For the third time Pilate spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in Jesus no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

CONGREGATION:

^23 But with loud shouts they demanded that he be crucified. Their shouts prevailed. ^24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand and surrendered Jesus to their will.

LEADER:

^27 A large number of people followed Jesus as he walked outside the city, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ^28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.”

ALL:

^33 When they came to the hill called the Skull, they crucified Jesus 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 And the people stood watching.