Good Friday

“What happened last night?” That’s probably the question that all of the disciples were asking themselves. “Why did Judas betray Him? Why did Peter keep on denying Him? If they kill Him, they’ll probably kill us too! We’ve got to get out of here! Let’s lay low for a while and wait for this to boil over. What happened last night?”

Late last night Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The 12 disciples are down to 11 and scattered about town confused and scared for their lives. Jesus is trialed and found innocent, but the people want him dead and so the local government gives in. We all know what happens next, he’s beaten and tortured and eventually dies.

At last year’s Good Friday service, when Jesus spoke his last words, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). The remaining lights left on in the sanctuary dimmed and two women, dressed in black, walked on stage. The piano started to play a somber sonnet and they sang these words:

Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, (Lord, have mercy,)
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, (Lord, have mercy,)
Qui tollis peccata mundi; (You who take away the sins of the world;)
Dona eis requiem, (Grant them peace,)
Dona eis requiem. (Grant them peace,)

Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, (Lamb of God, Lamb of God,)
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, (Lamb of God, Lamb of God,)
Qui tollis peccata mundi; (You who take away the sins of the world;)
Dona eis requiem, (Grant them peace,)
Dona eis requiem. (Grant them peace,)
Sempiternam, sempiternam requiem. (Peace everlasting, everlasting.)

And then that was it… they walked off the stage, the band left the auditorium. You didn’t know what was going on? You too were confused. You thought that it would end differently. You start to panic a little bit. People start to leave the sanctuary and you don’t know what to do. You forget that He comes back, but the mood and looks on the peoples’ faces makes you think that it’s all over. You can’t shake the hollow, empty feeling off.

Here’s the song:

If you don’t have plans for the night, then try to make it to a Good Friday service tonight. Have a great Good Friday everyone!