WITNESSING TO THE TRUTH

GOSPEL — JOHN 18:1—19:42
GOOD FRIDAY

When Jesus is interrogated by Pilate, he describes his mission in this way: “For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). Even in his terrible suffering and death on a cross, Jesus witnesses to the truth of God’s love, life, and power to the end. Refusing retaliation, Christ reveals to us divine power at work through the vulnerability of suffering love and nonviolence. Crucified as a criminal, Christ demonstrates divine solidarity with all who are persecuted and victimized. Weak and dying on the cross, Christ bears witness to divine presence in the depths of human pain.

Tonight we also bear witness to the false claims and mocking cruelty of those who condemn Jesus to death. Pilate, who has the power to release or condemn Jesus, utterly lacks moral clarity and courage. How might this story serve as a mirror, leading us to reflect on and lament ongoing injustices today, from our broken system of mass incarceration to our pollution and waste of God’s good creation? What lies are told and what cruelty is inflicted against God and our most vulnerable neighbors today?

As we name these truths about our world broken by sin and truths about God’s unfathomable love in Christ, we gather around the cross in our worship spaces as a family formed by Christ, like the ones who stood faithfully by Jesus’ side as he took his last breaths. We pray for the wounded creation, for the sick and dying, for those who find their dignity denied, and more. We pray, placing our hope in the God who yet promises to bring new life. And as we pray, we wait, and we witness to the truth that God is here, abiding with us and hearing our cries.


From sundaysandseasons.com.
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