Good Friday Matins

Antiphon:
P:  Christ became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
C:  O come, let us worship Him.  

Psalm 31

Office Hymn:  LSB 798 "The God of Abraham Praise" (st. 4)

He by Himself has sworn;

I on His oath depend.

I shall, on eagles wings upborne,

To heav'n ascend.

I shall behold His face;

I shall His pow'r adore

And sing the wonders of His grace

Forevermore.

Old Testament Reading:  Lamentations 4:1-22

From The Lutheran Study Bible:  Jeremiah contrasts the wealth of Jerusalem's past with the poverty of its residents after the Babylonian conquest.  The sins of the religious leaders come into focus as the cause for the destruction of the city.  A note of hope appears at the end with a veiled reference to the eventual return of the exiles from Babylon (v. 22).  Spiritual leaders carry a great responsibility for the welfare of God's people (cf. James 3:1).  God sustained His people, and through their descendants raised up a Savior for all, Christ the Lord.  * Father, send Your Spirit to strengthen Your shepherds, that they may teach Your Word in purity and truth.  We pray through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

New Testament Reading:  Hebrews 6:1-20

From The Lutheran Study Bible (vv. 13-20):  God's promise and oath to Abraham is certain.  As heirs of Abraham, those who trust in Christ Jesus share in the blessing of life promised to Abraham.  They experience unending stability and security through the Son's gracious access to the Father.  If we doubt God's Word, we act as if God is a liar and miss the blessings that flow from a trusting relationship with Him.  As we trust God's promises, we see that God tells the truth, and we share in the blessings of eternal life.  * Lord God, in Christ You speak true mercy and forgiveness.  Therefore, I will trust Your Word and receive what You graciously give.  Amen.

Responsory:
P:  We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.
C:  He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P:  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away.
C:  He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P:  We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.
C:  He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.

The Writing (in place of the homily) by Athanasius of Alexandria (from Treasury of Daily Prayer):

But if any honest Christian wants to know why the Lord suffered death on the cross and not in some other way, we answer thus:  in no other way was it expedient for us, indeed the Lord offered for our sakes the one death that was supremely good.  He had come to bear the curse that lay on us; and how could He “become a curse” otherwise than by accepting the accursed death?  And that death is the cross, for it is written, “Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree.”  Again, the death of the Lord is the ransom of all, and by it “the middle wall of partition” is broken down and the call of the Gentiles comes about.  How could He have called us if He had not been crucified, for it is only on the cross that a man dies with arms outstretched?  Here, again, we see the fitness of His death and of those outstretched arms:  it was that He might draw His ancient people with the one and the Gentiles with the other, and join both together in Himself.  Even so, He foretold the manner of His redeeming death, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Myself.”  

 
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.