Good Friday

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 182^nd Year

Chartered February 25, 1838

“Jesus I will Ponder Now”

A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach

Good Friday

10, April 2020

Finally, Pilate handed Him over to them to be crucified – John 19:16

Introduction:  Hanging on a cross - suspended between earth and heaven - the Son of man suffers – as no one has ever suffered – before or since. Stricken, smitten and afflicted see Him hanging on that tree – He hangs there - for you and for me. 

We have come to the end of our series – Jesus I will ponder Now. Today we witness Jesus as He offers Himself as a sacrifice for the life of the world.  The old song sings: 

1.      Make me see thy great distress,

Anguish and affliction,

A.      The distress of Jesus is one no one has ever experienced.  The physical torture was tremendous. But even greater was the spiritual torments He received. On that bloody and cruel cross, Jesus was abandoned by God and by men.

B.      Thus, the Savior’s affliction and anguish was the highest cruelty. The wrath of an angry and offended God was poured out on the Son of man on a hill called Calvary. Heaped upon Him was a double load.

1.      He suffered, as no man should.

2.         He suffered innocently the righteous for the

unrighteous.

Transition: Jesus suffered great distress, anguish, and affliction. He suffered in time so we could be in bliss with God eternally.

2.      Bonds and stripes and wretchedness

And Thy crucifixion;

A.      Mel Gibson’s movie the “Passion of the Christ” is a vivid portrayal of the Roman style of execution called crucifixion. It is a rendering of what took place in Jerusalem during those short three hours on Good Friday. This movie is an apt depiction of what crucifixion was really like. No wonder the world feared the Romans! No wonder some still today cannot bear to see it. No wonder the Romans had a law that read: Roman citizens may not be crucified. The scourging, whippings and beatings Christ endured was pure violence.  

B.      And yet, Gibson’s film is not “gratuitous violence.” To the contrary - there is a higher good, which comes from the sufferings and the passion of the Christ.

1.      Your sins, oh man, are gone. Your sins are buried in the tomb of Christ never to be seen again.

2.      He separates them as far as the east is from the west and He remembers your sin no more.

3.    There is now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ who was crucified. This is why we call this day Good Friday, for on a Friday - in time - the Son of God suffered to set you free.

Transition:  Why mark these sacred hours when Jesus the Christ suffered? Why does every faithful Christian church station a cross prominently?  What it the significance of the cross?

3.      Make me see how scourge and rod,

Spear and nails did wound Thee,

A.       It was a human who transgressed God’s law. When the Father said, “Of all the trees you may eat. But of the tree in the midst of the garden you will not eat, lest you die.”

B.      It was a human who believed the lie when the tempter said, “you will not die, for the Lord knows in the day that you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing the difference between good and evil.”

C.      It was a human who disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit.

D.      Therefore it had to be a human who would suffer in your stead. Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a human mother became the Father’s only attempt and the only hope for the human race to be free from sin. There is no other plan. There is no other way. There is no other hope except through Christ. This is what prompted St. Paul to write, “I determine to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  

Transition:  What is the significance of the cross?  The hymn writer sums it up in thirteen powerful words.

4.      How for man Thou diedst O God,

Who with thorns had crowned Thee.

A.        Sacred Scripture is quite clear. “There is salvation in no

     one else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

B.    Here we see that great exchange God’s mercy and forgiveness purchased at the cross of His own Son! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

C.    “No other child, no other Savior, Can ever help this sinful earth. Then take the Gift the Father sent us And spread the Story of His Birth.” That’s what our children said to us this past Christmas Eve. Good Friday assures us of a Merry Christmas! The birth of a baby means the death of a man – and that miserable death has saved us!

Conclusion:  Come now, come weary sinner, come to the foot of the cross for all things are now ready!

Artwork by Ed Rojas © Higher Things

M Thursday

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 182 Year

Chartered February 25, 1838

“Jesus I will Ponder Now”

A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach

M. Thursday

9, April 2020

As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.  –John 13:30

Introduction:  In his St. John Passion J. S. Bach paints for us a picture of the arrest of Jesus which will trigger a series of events. These events will bring about the greatest travesty of justice – yet, at the same time will usher in the greatest demonstration of the Father’s love and faithfulness; faithfulness to His promise, faithfulness to His fallen children. For us; to receive the Father’s pardon, the Son of Man would have to be arrested, tried, crucified and killed.

Following the Passover celebration Jesus’ disciples sang a hymn. As they departed from the upper room - it was night.  Christ the sinless Son of God is about to suffer for the crimes and sins of men.

I.          “Christ through whom we now are blessed - knew no evil doing.”

A.        In Christ we truly are blessed.

1.         Blessed to know Him, blessed to be known by Him.

2.         Blessed to have a relationship with Him.

3.         Blessed to be brought into His family – the Church.

B.        We are blessed because of Christ the sinless Son of God.

1.         He knew no sin. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2.         Yet He became sin for us. “At the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

3.         He became a curse for us. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE "-- 

4.         That we might become the righteousness of God through Him. “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord’.” 

Transition: Christ the perfect holy Son of God blesses us. Our blessing came at the time of Jesus’ arrest when it was night.

II.        “Him at night they did arrest - like a thief pursuing.”

A.        His arrest happened at night.  “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.”

1.         His arrest happened at night when the crowds who had come for the Passover festival would not so easily witness His arrest.

2.         They arrested Jesus at night so they could hold a quick and speedy trial.

B.        Like a thief they pursued Him.

1.         How ironic – He who had committed no treachery becomes a wanted man; a thief, a criminal, a villain, a man they must pursue.

2.         The enemies of the Christ will stop at nothing at having Him eliminated. It was necessary for this to happen they would argue. It was necessary for one man to die for the nation. “Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.  The leadership had had their fill – He must be eliminated.

Transition:  Having made His arrest His trial is set.

III.       “Led before the godless throng - falsely was convicted.”

A.        Christ was convicted falsely.

1.         Two witnesses came forward. “Many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”

2.         Finally, the High Priest came forward and charged Him. “The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.”

B.        These leaders stirred up the crowd for a conviction of convenience. It served their end.

1.         “Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 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 Christ, a king.”

2.         “So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”  “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.  Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Pilate said “I find no fault in this man.”

3.         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.”

Transition: Having achieved their goal of a conviction the council will send Jesus to His death – But first He must be handed to the guard.

IV.       “Laughed at, scoffed at, spat upon, - as the Word predicted.”

A.        The guard will make sport of Him.

1.         They want to publicly humiliate Him. “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.”

2.         They want so show their utter contempt for Him. “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”

B.        This was all predicted for us in Sacred Scripture.

1.         “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

2.         “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth…”

3.         “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself”.

Conclusion:  After the Last Supper, events in our Lord’s life moved rapidly-- His prayer in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, arrest, mock trial, painful beating, the trudge to Golgotha and execution. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”   The events of Golgotha snuffed out the human life of Jesus, the Light of the World, as even creation was dark when He suffered.

Jesus, the innocent victim is sentenced to death – a death He did not deserve – yet a death He will bear for your salvation. In this most blessed Sacrament which He instituted before His arrest you receive the tokens of His sacrifice – His body, broken - His blood, shed - that you might receive absolution and clemency for your offenses. O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us and grant us Your peace.    

Artwork by Ed Rojas © Higher Things

mid-week Lent #6

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 182^nd Year

Chartered February 25, 1838

“Jesus I will Ponder Now”

A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach

1 April 2020

They will look on the one they have pierced - John 19:37

Introduction:

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the prince of glory died

My riches gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

The Passion of the Christ has been our focus through the sacred music of Johan Sebastian Bach these past three Wednesdays.  We turn now to our final chorale – it is simply a prayer - that we may be one in Christ.

Help O Christ Thou God’s own Son

Through Thy bitter anguish

That our wills with Thee be one

Zeal for evil vanquish

I.            We pray that our Will - may be one in the same as Christ’s. This we pray every time we pray the 3^rd petition of the Lord’s Prayer – “Thy will be done” – Lord!

A.   How is this done?

1.      God’s good and gracious will is done among us by Himself – not us!

2.      Specifically, when God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow God’s name nor let His Kingdom come.

3.      Those forces we contend with are the will of the devil, the world and our own sinful flesh.

B.   God’s Good and gracious will is...

1.      To strengthen and preserve us steadfast.

2.      Keeping us faithful to His Word and faith unto our end. “Fear not, little flock, for it is Your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”       -Luke 12:32

Transition: We pray that the Father’s will might be done in us. Viewing Christ’s Passion we render Him our thanks and praise.

II.         Our focus thus is on Christ and His Cross

On Thy death and its true cause

Contrite thoughts will render

A.   When we consider all that Jesus endured - His suffering, agony and bloody sweet we cry out for the Father to have mercy upon us.

1.  With the beggar we cry, “Jesus, Master have mercy on me!”-Mark 10:47

2.  Or, as the Kyrie would remind us; “Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.”

3.  And, in the words of the Agnus Dei; “O Christ Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world have mercy upon us and grant us Thy peace.”

B.   And we thank Him!

And though weak and full of flaws

Thee our thanks will render

1.   Thank You Jesus, that you have taken

     away my guilt and my sin.

2.   Thank you Jesus, that You prayed;

“Father forgive them for they know not   what they do.” -Luke 23:34

3.   Thank You Jesus, who gave Stephen the 

 strength to pray; “Lord do not hold this sin against them!” –Acts 7:60 For this is how we ought to pray.

Conclusion:  As we have pondered Christ’s holy Passion during this Lenten journey may we be moved to pray;

Grant that I may willingly

Bear with Thee my crosses,

Learning humbleness of Thee,

Peace mid pain and losses.

May I give thee love for love!

Hear me, O my Savior,

That I may in heaven above

Sing Thy praise forever.

mid-week Lent #5

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 182^nd Year

Chartered February 25, 1838

“Jesus I will Ponder Now”

A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach

March 25, 2020 – Mid-week #5 – John 19:23-27

Introduction: Hanging on a cross suspended between earth and heaven Jesus bore our sins in His body. In the midst of His cruel agony He provided for His mother’s care. John records for us the Savior’s word of dying concern. “When Jesus saw His mother, there and the disciple whom He loved, standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on this disciple took her into his home.” How beautifully Bach relates these events.

I.            The death of Jesus was complete. “He of everything took heed In His hour of dying.”

A.   All sin was paid for by Jesus’ vicious death.

1.   There is not one sin left unaccounted.

2.   The payment is marked: “paid in full!”

B.   The proclamation of the cross is what frees us.

1.   It is good news.

2.   It is the power of God.

II.         On the cross Jesus singles Mary out for attention. “Caring for His mother’s needs on His friend relying.”

A.   He calls her “woman”.

1.   A desire to spare her the hurt of “mother.”

2.   He imparts a proper perspective – Mary will have to be saved like anyone else. She receives no dispensation!

B.   He turns her over to John.

1.   From that time on he became her son.

2.   He provides for her taking her into his own house.

a.    By way of history John will be the only disciple not to be martyred.

b.    He will be exiled to the island of Patmos. – Revelation 1:9

III.       By this act of love Jesus demonstrates the proper regard for family. “O man, do all things aright love God and thy neighbor.”

A.   Jesus summed up the life of the Christian when He taught us;

1.   “Love the Lord Thy God with all your heart, soul and all your might This is the first and greatest commandment.”   - Matthew 22:37

2.   “And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:38-39 There is no commandment greater than these.

B.   “To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  - Mark 12:33

IV.      Through Jesus’ example expressed to His mother He demonstrates a deep concern for others. Thus Bach concludes tonight’s hymn verse with these words; “Die then without pain and fright rest from care and labor.”

A.   We can leave this world in death without pain or fright.

1.   Christ bore our sins in His own body on the cross so that we will not have to suffer the terrors of a guilty conscience.

2.    We receive Christ’s peace as He has secured for us peace with God.

B.   Thus we rest from care and labor.

1.   Luther possibly put is best when, in the conclusion to his morning and evening prayers he wrote: “Into Thy hands I commend myself [placing] my body and soul and all thing [into Thy care]. May Your Holy Angel [Spirit] be with me that the wicked foe may have no power over me.”

2.   This moved Luther to conclude in the morning the Christian should: “then go joyfully to your work” and in the evening we rest confidently: “then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.”

3.    Here is evidence of a clear conscience; not based on what we do but rather on what Christ has finished. Our salvation is complete. We can rest in peace because our Father is at peace with Jesus’ work. At the cross and empty tomb Christ’s mission was accomplished!

Conclusion: Jesus showing compassion and care for His mother and His dear disciple has shown us how we too must act. Of the seven words Jesus spoke from the cross half of His last words are concerned with others. May His words and actions so move us to will and to do His good pleasure.

Artwork by Ed Rojas © Higher Things

mid-week Lent #4

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 182^nd Year

Chartered February 25, 1838

“Jesus I will Ponder Now”

A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach

18March 2020Mid-week #4

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, Behold the man! - John 19:5

Introduction: “Behold the man!” That’s what Pilate said. Who is this Jesus? How will you perceive Him? How will you react to Him? What has He done to deserve all this? Our chorale for this evening penned by Johan Sebastian Bach gives us much to contemplate.

I.          Behold, the Savior of the world. Jesu, who for me didst die, Livest now forever.

A.        Christ died –

                        1.         He died for every sinner.

2.         He died for me!         

B.        But now He lives –

1.         Death could not hold Him.

2.         He now lives and reigns through all eternity.

II.        Behold Him who will hold us in death. When my hour of death draws nigh, Let me waver never.

A.        Each must face death.

1.         It is appointed for man once to die and after that face judgment. -Hebrews 9:72

2.         Death is a curse, which sinful humans have brought upon themselves. “The soul that sins it shall die.” - Ezekiel 18;4,20

B.        Yet we can face death confidently in Jesus.

1.         Because Christ defeated death by His own death we can now see death as a gate, which leads to eternal life.

2.         When facing our own demise terrors of conscience may seize us. Only Christ can keep us faithful. “Be Thou faithful until death and I will give Thee the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10

III.       Behold Him who will keep us. May I e’er to Thee be turned, O my faithful Savior.

A.        By our own reason or strength we cannot come to Him.

1.         We are blind, dead and enemies of God.

2.         Our sin prevents us.

B.        Thus He sends us His Holy Spirit who…

1.         Calls us  - by the Gospel

2.         Gathers us – into His body the Church

3.         Enlightens us – with His gifts

4.         Sanctifies us – keeps us holy

5.         Keeps us – in the one true faith

IV.       Behold him who will receive us into His glory. Give me but what Thou has earned, More I do not pray for.

           

A.        What has Christ earned?

1.         We now have peace with God.

2.         We are given access to the Father’s throne - room of grace.

3.         We have received forgiveness from all sin.

4.         We’ve been given the hope of heaven with mansions glorious.

B.        With all these gifts what more do we need?

1.         The Christian can now be content.

2.         There is nothing lacking for Christ has the sufficiency to supply us with all that we may ever need.

Conclusion:    

I am content my Jesus liveth still

In whom my heart is pleased.

He hath fulfilled the Law of God for me,

God’s Wrath He hath appeased.

Since He in death could perish never

I also shall not die forever.

I am content! I am content!

I Am Content from The Lutheran Hymnal Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO © 1940

Artwork by Ed Rojas © Higher Things