Scripture and Prayer for Good Friday

(Matthew 27:27-31)

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,* and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Prayer: Father, God, thank you for perfect love in your son, Jesus–mocked, beaten and crucified. Sadly, the clothes and emblems societies reserve for their “Caesars” are laughable. God, for a suffering people, for what good did Caesar use his crown, his robe and his reed? For what good have present leaders actually used their vestiges of power? It is easy to mock the symbols and offices of leaders who don’t love, lead and sacrifice for the people their suppose to serve.

God upon Jesus, the crown, the blood colored robe and the reed meant that your righteousness was mocked and shamed. Your mercy and love misunderstood.

Thank you Jesus for your love for us that was proven by your suffering and death. You were mocked because the ceremonial attire of earthly kings are unfitting for the coronation of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Amen.

Pastor Leathers