Good Friday Reflection: The Shepherd is the Lamb

The Lord be with you. Let us pray. 

Oh merciful God, who has to made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word; and so fetch them home, blessed lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy spirit, One god, world without end.

Amen.

As we started our journey with Christ in the wilderness during the season of Lent, we arrived at Good Friday. Leaving the Maundy Thursday service in silence surrounded by darkness last night, this Good Friday reflection is based on a few of the appointed lectionary readings from Morning and Evening Prayer. 

Genesis 22:1-1

Psalms 40:1-16

John 18

Mark 15:21-41

Louder Than The Mob That Day! 

When I was a teenager, I played in a Christian punk rock band. One of my heroes at that time was the lead singer of the Orange County Supertones. They were unashamedly Christian and influenced by the Reformed theology of Greg Bahnsen and Francis Schaeffer. The lyrics had depth, and the music was either joyful or an anthem for war. They believed what they sang. 

A chorus from one of their songs went like this: 

“Our sins yelled crucify, louder than the mob that day. Our sins yelled crucify louder than any mouth.” 

I would sing it, and the tears would just flow. 

The reason it was impactful was that it was true–I killed the son of God.

The God Who Provides 

In human courts based on God’s Law, I deserve death. How could my broken life ever be sufficient for this high crime? In my human reasoning, I wasn’t innocent by any standard that might be argued in the case of Isaac in Genesis 22: 1-18. 

Believe me, I really tried to stop sinning and to be the best man I could be, but I had particular problems that made it obvious that I was without hope. What we learn in the story of Abraham and Isaac is that God provided the sacrifice. I was born in sin like Isaac and didn’t have a chance to repay this debt from day one. 

How Long Will We Sing This Lord? 

One of the appointed Psalms for Good Friday in morning prayer is Psalm 40. In verses 1-3, we see the posture of a King, waiting for a King, something that the mobs were blinded to that day. I would like to think I am better than this, but the lesson of Maundy Thursday to Peter shows that “my god” wouldn’t get too far in the dirt, “Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13: 9-10).

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”

The reality we see is that not all who were with Him were set to bring the good news of the Gospel. Peter had too much zeal, and Judas just wanted more cash. 

The Betrayal Ran Deep

After washing the feet of his disciples and instituting the Lord’s Supper, Christ went to a secret place to pray. Judas knew the place, and the betrayal was deep. Christ didn’t back down. He didn’t hide. He stood his ground willingly by presenting Himself without spot or blemish. Peter couldn’t watch and pray but could wield his sword. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, like a modern-day politician waving to the cameras. 

Jesus was arrested, misrepresented, mocked, hit, and turned over to be tried in a secular court. The cowards couldn’t do the deed themselves, and Pontius Pilate washed his hands because no fault could be found. Christ was perfect. He is the promised one that the Law, the Prophets, the Tabernacle, Temple, and the sacrificial system pointed to. The greatest Prophet, Priest, and King was traded for a murderer. 

How could they do this? They had so many signs and miracles. They had so much light, but if I am being honest, I have more. Would I do the same thing? At best, while warming myself by the fire, I would have done what most people do, try and save my own skin. 

The Shepherd is the Lamb

Everything in History points to this movement of time. The King of Glory is going to sacrifice Himself. He is going to pay for our sins. He is going to forgive Peter. He is a servant and suffered more pain, betrayal, and humiliation than anyone else that will ever live. He takes in rebels, losers, addicts, and murderers like Saul and turns them into Paul. He takes proud, loudmouthed cowards like Peter and loves them into bold fearless evangelists who ask to be crucified upside down. 

The incarnation of Christ is evidence that God loves us. 

The one who could forgive sin and reverse the curse is not from the seed of Adam. Death can have no hold on Him. He has the power to raise the dead, and Good Friday is Good because, as St. Augustine said, “the cross is the devil’s mousetrap.” 

Watch and Pray!

A good friend recently said, “Lent is a dangerous time,” and he is right. 

Don’t give up. Let’s wait patiently for the Lord. He will hear our cry and set our washed feet on a Rock that will be a tree of life to the world. 

Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Amen.