Good Friday Experience Guide
Tap the link below to read the content for each station.
To listen to the audio guides, use the Riverbend App, or visit riverbend.com/easter
STATION 1 – The Denial
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 26:31; 33, 34.
As strongly and confidently as Peter declares his devotion, Scripture tells us that only a few hours later while warming his hands over a courtyard fire, he publicly, and emphatically denies knowing Jesus three times, just as predicted.
Like Peter, we can present a confidence and assuredness that we trust and abide in Christ with full devotion, yet struggle to believe, obey, and commit our whole selves to the One who knows and sees all. We are adept at portraying a public faith, and a private faith - one that we think God doesn’t see or know about.
INSTRUCTIONS
Is there an area in our lives that we don’t think we have let Jesus into? Is there something in our lives we want to change – that we are ashamed of, or wish wasn’t true, that we try to deny, including our devotion to Jesus?
Write a word or phrase that reflects this on a piece of paper. As you write, realize that Jesus already knows what you will be writing. When you are ready, place the paper in the fire as a way to acknowledge Jesus’ sovereignty over all parts of your life. And, just like Peter, because he already knows, He will forgive, erase our shame, and welcome us to the warmth and light of an everlasting fire that gives freedom and life.
Back to top >
STATION 2 - The Betrayal
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
—Matthew 21:14–15, 20–21, 25
Why did Judas betray Jesus? There are many theories, but perhaps it is because Judas believed Jesus to be more: to be a conquering warrior-hero who would defy and overthrow the Roman occupation and liberate the Jews – once, for all, forever – militarily, with mighty physical justice.
Like Judas, many of us believe that Jesus falls short of our earthly needs, desires, and plans. Like Judas, we want to write the story, change the script, produce the outcome we want. We also look to ‘force the hand’ of Jesus.
Yet, it is we, not Jesus, who have fallen short… again, and again. Despite our desire and efforts to be of perfectly righteous character, we continue missing the mark.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take a metal coin and nail it to the Cross. This is to signify yourself as both a betrayer, and as someone who has need for Jesus - the Savior with a better, loving, lasting, eternal plan for all that would believe.
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, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
—Romans 3:22-24
“Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”
—John 12:44-45; 49, 50
Back to top >
STATION 3 - The Humble Servant
An unbelievable display of humility occurred at the Last Supper. As the disciples were listening to Jesus, prepared to take part in the Passover feast, Jesus foreshadowed not only the events soon to come – His capture, trial, and execution – but also an unbelievable cultural paradigm shift that none of them could possibly imagine. In a loving example of the true Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus, as the Master, made himself a lowly servant.
…So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
—John 13:4–5, 12, 14–17
INSTRUCTIONS
OPTION 1
Come forward and receive from someone who would seek to humbly serve you. As you enter the pavilion, approach one of the unoccupied foot-washing stations. Remove your shoes and/or socks, laying them aside. As we recall the humble image of Christ – the one willing to challenge cultural norms and serve others – a Pastor will gently wash your feet. Allow Christ’s example to be a loving reminder of how to go forth and serve others in return.
OPTION 2
You may also choose to be dabbed with perfume on the top of your hand as a reminder of the sweet goodness of Jesus and his cleansing work on the Cross.
Back to top >
STATION 4 – The Weight of the World
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
–John 21:1, 15, 17, 19
On the night Jesus was betrayed, the well-documented denials of Peter were not the end of his story; crippling shame did no drive Peter away from knowing, loving, and following Jesus for the rest of his life. Jesus forgave and encouraged Peter with selfless, building-up love which led to self-repentance, acceptance, and a liberated soul that allowed him to become ‘the Rock’ on which Jesus built His Church.
Peter’s liberated soul was the result of an unburdening of his past mistakes, choices, failures and revealed character defects. Peter learned to set them free at the feet of a loving Christ through confession and the acceptance of an all-understanding love.
INSTRUCTIONS
What would you like to be unburdened from this evening? Is there something you would like to give to Jesus – to let go of as an anonymous, yet public confession, profession or acknowledgement?
As you approach the message wall, notice the small scrolls of paper with either red or white edges facing you. Please remove a white edged scroll, write what you need to ‘unburden’ on it, and return it in any open slot with the red edge facing outward. You may also read the red edged scrolls representing the offerings of others as you seek to know, understand, and honor their unburdening.
Back to top >
STATION 5 – The Hope of Heaven
Jesus’ love for us is without bounds. We honor Christ’s death because of the promise of everlasting, enduring love – love so beautiful, it defies our conventional understanding of life, and even death. The promise of life everlasting represents the ultimate hope.
Though we carry pain from loss, may we find strengthening courage with the promise of a redeemed and renewed life, a Heavenly union with Jesus – and reunion with others.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:38–39
INSTRUCTIONS
These past few years have not been without considerable pain, suffering, loss, and great tribulation. Yet, we are reminded that after the storms of life, there are times of renewal and hope; rebuilding and re-imagining.
We often honor those who have left us with the sweetness of a flower, reminding us of our love for them, and them for us. Flowers also memorialize glad and celebratory events in our lives – markers of that which is good and to be honored.
Place a flower on the Cross as a reminder of God’s goodness. Offer your prayers to Him; Remember; Be with Him. Afterwards, may He bring you comfort and peace as you go.