Welcome to our Good Friday service

We have compiled a series of 8 video chapters for you to engage with this Good Friday. Each one is a combination of readings, reflections and music, walking us through Matthew’s account of the death of Jesus. The service is designed for you to move through at your own pace, and we will encourage you along the way to pause for prayer and reflection, as you consider the question, who is Jesus? Follow the flow of this page, clicking on each video when you’re ready to begin that chapter.

We hope you find this service both challenging and encouraging, in these trying times.

Chapter 1

The arrest in the garden

Chapter 2

Jesus in his own words

Who is Jesus for you?

If you’re watching with housemates or with family, ask yourselves this question, who is Jesus for you, and why is that what you think? If you’re on your own, take a walk around the block, or sit outside in the garden, and ask yourself the same thing.

If there’s something here that draws you back to him, then stay with us to find out more. And if you’ve made up your mind already that Jesus is who he claims to be here, ask yourself again: if he is the Lord of all creation, and he is coming back to evaluate each one of our lives, are we ready?

Who is Jesus for you?

Chapter 3

Peter denies Jesus

Prayer for strength & Courage

Does Peter’s trial resonate with you? Have you faced similar experiences in your life?

Take some time to pray, and ask God to fill you with strength and courage, for the next time you face a trial like this. Pray that God would give you joy in the relationship you have with him; enthusiasm to share this with others; confidence in the face of criticism; and forgiveness for when we fail.

Chapter 4

Judas, Jesus & Forgiveness

A prayer of confession, with words of assurance

If this reading and reflection on Judas has prompted you with an awareness of sin and a desire to repent, you might use this prayer of confession:

God the Father, maker of heaven and earth,

God the Son, redeemer of the world,

God the Holy Spirit, giver of light and life,

Have mercy on us.

For accepting life yet living without you,

For living without concern for others,

For tolerating injustice, oppression and wrong,

For disobeying your will and commandments,

For refusing to love and forgive others,

For turning the world to our own purposes and desires,

Forgive us, Lord.

In all things may we hold to your will and purpose,

Lord, hear us. Amen.

With confession of sin before Jesus in prayer, comes the assurance of his forgiveness:

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the perfect offering for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Chapter 5

Jesus silent before Pilate

Chapter 6

What Pilate knows, and yet what Pilate does

Chapter 7

The cruel coronation of a king

If Jesus is king…

Through the symbolism used in this reading, Matthew wants us to see that Jesus is God’s king. If you know this to be true, what difference is that making in your life? Have you given your whole life to his service? Or, are there parts, or places, or people in your life that you don’t want to give to Jesus? Are there parts of your life that you don’t trust him to rule well? You might take some time now in prayer, and ask Jesus to show you the parts of your life that you’re not willing to give to him as king. Perhaps today, it’s time to give them to him.

Chapter 8

Jesus, Son of God?

Thanks for participating in this Good Friday service.

We’d love you to join in praying with us, in our Easter Prayer Vigil from sunrise on Saturday to sunrise on Sunday. Sign up via the weekly church email. We hope you can worship with us again on Easter Sunday, to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ—

truly, the Son of God.