Ostrander Presbyterian Church

Friday March 3, 2026

It is Good Friday, and we call it good not because of what happened on this day but rather because of what God did with it. The reality is that what happened on this day that we celebrate was not only a horrible and horrific act perpetrated on the Son of God, but also a demonstration of the depths of evil that human kind is capable of. Jesus was not the first nor the last to suffer this fate, thousands of people were subjected to it. It was a horrible and public way to die, designed to humiliate the sufferer as well as their family and friends. But we call it Good because Jesus took this symbol of oppression, hatred and pain, the cross and turned it into the symbol of a movement of love, peace and reconciliation.

Matthew 26:67-68
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
67 Then they spat in his face and struck him, and some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
Matthew 27:26-31
26 So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Gracious heavenly God grant that in this season of Lent that we might draw ever closer to You, and that we would become truly grateful for what You have done for us.

As it is Holy Week, I thought we would take a look at the events of Holy Week as we lead into Easter. I invite you to read this scripture and engage in the emotions that Jesus and his friends might have been feeling in the moment. Feel the excitement and yet confusion of the apostles, experience in Jesus's words the profound nature of this moment.

Matthew 26:30-46
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Foretold
31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night, for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 “But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the c**k crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

Gracious heavenly God grant that in this season of Lent that we might draw ever closer to You, and that we would become truly grateful for what You have done for us.

Monday March 30, 2026
Psalm 36:5-6
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

As we begin Holy Week, this passage is particularly poignant. I am reminded of what Jesus said to His followers in John 15:12-14, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.” And after saying this, He did exactly that, laid down His life, a perfect life for His imperfect friends. And notice that this steadfast love that the psalmist declares and that Jesus demonstrates does not only apply to those who put their feet in the same sand as He did, but to all who follow after Him. This steadfast love, that truly does endure forever, applies to all who accept and follow. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” As we travel the road to Jerusalem, the road to the crucifixion, let us be reminded not only of what Jesus did for us, but why. He did it for love.

Gracious heavenly God grant that in this season of Lent that we might draw ever closer to You, and that we would become truly grateful for what You have done for us.