21 - Good Friday

Readings and Gospel

Lectionary for Good Friday - This has all the readings and Gospel

Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12 - Suffering and Triumph of the Servant of the Lord

• The last of the “servant of the Lord” oracles (see note on 42:1–4). Taken together, these oracles depict a figure of one called by God for a vocation to Israel and the nations (42:4; 49:5–6); the servant’s exaltation both opens and closes the passage (52:13; 53:12). The servant responded in fidelity but has suffered opposition (50:4–6). In this fourth oracle the servant is characterized as “a man of suffering” (53:3) and appears to be unjustly put to death (53:8–9). Those who have witnessed his career somehow recognize that he is innocent, has undergone suffering for their sins (53:4–6), and his death is referred to as a reparation offering (see note on 53:10–11). The servant is described in ways that identify him with Israel (which is frequently referred to as “servant” in the context of Second Isaiah—e.g., 41:8, 9; 44:2, 21; 43:4) and is designated as “Israel” in 49:3; yet Israel outside the “servant of the Lord” oracles is not presented as sinless, but rather in exile because of sin (40:2; 42:21–25) and even as servant as deaf and blind (42:18–19). The servant is thus both identified with Israel and distinguished from it. As with the previous servant poems, this chapter helped the followers of Jesus to interpret his suffering, death, and resurrection; see especially the passion narratives.

• More information on Chapter 53

[Letter to the] Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 - Jesus, Compassionate High Priest

John 18:1—19:42 - Jesus Arrested, Peter’s First Denial, The Inquiry before Annas, Peter Denies Jesus Again, The Trial before Pilate, The Crucifixion of Jesus, The Blood and Water, The Burial of Jesus.

Who / What / Where is...?

Isaiah

• His name means "God is Salvation".

• Isaiah is one of the prophets in the Old Testament -- around 742 BC to 701 BC, and it may have continued even longer, until 687 BC. He appeared at a critical moment in Israel’s history. 

• More information here.

Hebrews

• By the time of the Roman Empire, this could refer to the Jews in general who use the Hebrew language.

• It was assumed that this letter was directed to Jewish Christians. Usually Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy (Hebrews 13:23) suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed. (Source: USCCB)

Son though he was

• Two different though not incompatible views of Jesus’ sonship coexist in Hebrews, one associating it with his exaltation, the other with his preexistence. The former view is the older one (cf. Romans 1:4)

John

• Means "Yahweh has been Gracious"

• Brother of James (another apostle)

• Son of Zebedee

• He was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.

  • • 12 Apostles - the first 12 people that Jesus called to follow Him.

Kidron Valley

• The Kidron Valley is the valley originating slightly northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, which then separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. (Source: Wikipedia)

Nazareth

• Where St Joseph and Mother Mary lived

• Where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mother Mary (the annunciation)

• Where Jesus grew up.

• This is located in today's Israel's northern district.

• It is near the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Tiberias)

According to his custom

• Jesus’ practice of regularly attending synagogue is carried on by the early Christians’ practice of meeting in the temple (Acts 2:46; 3:1; 5:12).

  • • Synagogue

    • A place for prayer and study of scripture. In the time of Jesus, this is open to all Jews where one (who is not a priest) can read the scripture to the assembly. This is different from the temple (where the Jews offered sacrifices).

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me

• See note on Luke 3:21–22. As this incident develops, Jesus is portrayed as a prophet whose ministry is compared to that of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Prophetic anointings are known in first-century Palestinian Judaism from the Qumran literature that speaks of prophets as God’s anointed ones. To bring glad tidings to the poor: more than any other gospel writer Luke is concerned with Jesus’ attitude toward the economically and socially poor (see Luke 6:20, 24; 12:16–21; 14:12–14; 16:19–26; 19:8). At times, the poor in Luke’s gospel are associated with the downtrodden, the oppressed and afflicted, the forgotten and the neglected (Luke 4:18; 6:20–22; 7:22; 14:12–14), and it is they who accept Jesus’ message of salvation.

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