Good Friday Experience Guide
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STATION 1 – The Preparation
A few days before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, lavished upon Jesus out of pure love and devotion:
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. …Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
—John 12:3-5; 7
INSTRUCTIONS
Mary prepared Jesus for His eventual death and burial. As you step forward and receive a dab of anointing oil on your hand, may this prepare your heart as your senses come alive to God’s presence and leading this evening.
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STATION 2 - Accomplices
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
– Matthew 27:27-31
Jesus’ humiliation is shocking, unnerving, horrifying, and surely undeserved. While we may condemn those responsible for Jesus’ death – Caiaphas, Pilate, and all who hated him – and grieve their acts, our own hearts are certainly not pure or without complicity.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take a pick and place it in the wreath representing His crown of thorns. Though sinless, He bore the shame, the humiliation, and the pain of our transgressions. Though guilty, we can come to Him humbly, seeking His forgiveness – given freely, abundantly, and enthusiastically.
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
– Romans 3:22a-24
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STATION 3 - Hidden Within
What lies hidden in our hearts? Where do our truths, and that of Jesus, conflict?
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate.
– John 18:37-38
We tend to think there are things that Jesus does not know – that we are able to keep hidden, or think He is unable to see. Whether a humiliation, embarrassment, transgression, or sinful behavior, Jesus knows all, and is ready to help us overcome, to move past. Revealing these can be a tremendous first step.
INSTRUCTIONS
Write a word or phrase that you may think is kept in the shadows where no one sees, but you’d like to bring into the open and offer to Jesus. Nail this paper to the Cross – inward or outward – it makes no difference: His promise is true; His mercy is great; His grace is sufficient.
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
– Col. 2:14
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STATION 4 – The Denial
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me...”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
- Matthew 26:31a; 33, 34
As strongly and confidently as Peter declares his devotion, Scripture tells us it doesn’t last long. Only a few hours later, while Jesus is questioned, harassed, and beaten, Peter is warming his hands over a courtyard fire, publicly and emphatically denying Jesus three times, just as predicted.
INSTRUCTIONS
In what ways do you deny the light, the hope, the truth to be found in Jesus? How are you struggling to trust Him amidst your fears and doubts? Write a word, phrase, or date that reflects one of these occasions of doubt or denial on a piece of paper. When you are ready, place the paper in the fire. Just like Peter, Jesus not only understands, He forgives, welcoming you to the warmth and light of a fire that offers grace and hope everlasting.
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STATION 5 – Be Still
The Passion - the story of Jesus’ final days, His crucifixion and death - is the event that changed everything. Yet, despite the darkness, there is still more to the story: resurrection. It is our story of hope and regeneration; life lived fully now, with a promise of life eternal. And death does not, will not, have the last word – if we believe.
INSTRUCTIONS
Extinguish one of the candles before you in the water as shown by the attendant.
As you gaze upon the Cross, and enjoy the serenity and beauty of this evening, we invite you to reflect on the ways that Jesus has always been faithful. While reflecting in this gathering darkness, rest in knowing there will always be light to come with Jesus.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
– Psalm 46:10
As you continue to linger in God’s presence, we hope you will be reminded that the work has been done - “It is completed.”
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Go in peace.
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The Last Supper
In the Upper Room, on the evening before the events of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples in the Upper Room for one last meal.
The Bread
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:23b-24
Take and eat The Bread in remembrance of our Savior.
The Cup
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:25-26
As you take The Cup, take time to meditate on the sacrifice of The Savior. Remember His understanding of our condition, our struggles: He knows all, He sees all.