Good Friday 2020

Citing Elizabeth Shively in Christianity Today:

"At his last Passover, Jesus sealed the new covenant with his own sacrificial blood. He presided over the table with his disciples and retold the old, old story, but with a new twist. Holding the bread and the drink, he recited Exodus 24:8 to make sense of his pending death: “this is my body … this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many” (Mark 14:22, 24). Matthew includes “for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28) and Luke “this is the new covenant in my blood” (22:20). Jesus himself became the sacrifice on whom his disciples feasted, the shared meal a physical mediation of God’s new redemption (John 6:53–54). His explanation of the Passover ritual infused his actions with new meaning and the power to transform sinners into a community of saints.

Yet this Last Supper is ultimately realized in another meal. Jesus anticipated a great banquet where he will eat and drink with his followers anew—after his death and resurrection—in God’s presence (Matt. 26:29). Food and drink flank this new founding moment to join the whole of Jesus’ atoning work—his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation. Paul captures the anticipation to mark our celebrations: “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26, emphasis added)."

Not being able to attend church this weekend leaves us with a great empty place in our hearts.  Part of me believes it is a huge mistake and that we could have church, under certain stipulations, on this holiest of holidays--wear masks, keep our distance. Not everyone would come, of course. But I don't get an opinion in this matter. Perhaps we should all go out in our front lawns or porches or balconies and sing "He Lives" or "I serve a Risen Savior" or another resurrection hymn at 11:00 Sunday morning.