Start: Reading 1

This upcoming Sunday we, along with so many other followers of Jesus around the world will be celebrating Easter—the time when Jesus rose from the dead.

But right now, we’re gathered here together to remember what happened in the last hours of Jesus’ life as he suffered and died for us and others.

Jesus’ sacrificial death was necessary to take care of mankind’s sin and separation from God, a problem which goes back to the time of Adam and Eve. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah foretold about the time when Jesus, as the suffering servant, would come to rescue God’s people and pay for their sins.

The prophet writes in chapter 53:

Who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
    and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
    and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
    he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
    and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors.

As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us we’ll be singing some songs of worship to Him, reading from Mark’s gospel in the New Testament about his death, and will also be sharing in the Lord’s Supper. But first let’s pray. (Have someone pray)

Song 1 - "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" https://youtu.be/SKDujmtyAVk

Verse 1 - How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Verse 2 - Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

Verse 3 - I will not boast in anything

No gifts no power no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Song 2 - "Wonderful Merciful Savior" https://youtu.be/fK6sYVQCqhs

 Verse 1 - Wonderful merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb

Could rescue the souls of men

Oh You rescue the souls of men

Verse 2 - Counselor Comforter Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts

Have hopelessly lost the way

Oh we hopelessly lost the way

Chorus - You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh our hearts always hunger for

Verse 3 - Almighty infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh we're falling before Your throne

Reading 2

Mark 14:12-26

            “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"  So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.  Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'  He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."  The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 

             When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.  While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me-- one who is eating with me."  They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" 

            "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

            While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.   "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.  25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

The Lord’s Supper

We now invite you to follow Jesus’ example with the disciples and take part in the Lord’s Supper.  This is an opportunity for us each to rehearse the gospel to ourselves as we remember the Lord’s body that was broken and his blood that was spilt.  While salvation is a free gift, it did not come without immense cost.  Thankfully remember Jesus’ loving sacrifice as you partake in the elements.

If you would like to add some background ambience for communion: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord"  https://youtu.be/fpSScICWJ9M

Reading 3

Mark 14:32-52

            “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 

            Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.  "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

             Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.   When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.   Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" 

            Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.  Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.   The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.   "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Then everyone deserted him and fled.   A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,  he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.”

Song 3 - "My Jesus I Love Thee" https://youtu.be/DVzlUiclXTY

Verse 1 - My Jesus I love Thee I know Thou art mine

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign

My gracious Redeemer my Savior art Thou

If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now

Verse 2 - I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me

And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on

Thy brow If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now

Verse 3 - In mansions of glory and endless delight

I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow

If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now

Reading 4

Mark 14:53-15:15 –

            “They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together.  Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.  The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.  Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:  "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'"  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

              Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"  "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."   The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.  "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.”

             “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.  "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.  The chief priests accused him of many things.  So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."  But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

              Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested.  A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.  The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate,   knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.

              But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.  "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.  "Crucify him!" they shouted.  "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"   Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”

Song 4 - "Jesus Paid it All" https://youtu.be/Te3CqucTI3o

Verse 1 - I hear the Savior say

Thy strength indeed is small

Child of weakness watch and pray

Find in Me thine all in all

Chorus - 'Cause Jesus paid it all

All, All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Verse 2 - Lord now indeed I find

Thy pow'r and Thine alone

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone

(Bridge) - Oh praise the One

Who paid my debt and raise this life up from the dead

Verse 3 - And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete

Jesus died my soul to save

My lips shall still repeat

Reading 5

Mark 15:16-46

            The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers.   They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!"  Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

             A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.   They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).   Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.   And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.  It was the third hour when they crucified him.

              The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.   They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,  come down from the cross and save yourself!"   In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself!   Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

              At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.   And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"   When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."  One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.  With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.   The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.   And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

              Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.   In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 

            It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,  Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.  Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.  When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.”

Song 5 - "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" https://youtu.be/wej1jHtiH-M

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

O precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Hosanna Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna Hosanna in the highest

(Have the host close the time of worship in prayer).