Monday, January 7, 2013

GOOD FRIDAY: Put YOUR Nail in His Cross


Matthew 27:37
And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Good Friday is one of my favorite services because it's one of the few times that we focus solely on our part in the crucifixion of Jesus and don't white wash it with praise songs.  We dwell, for a moment, on the cross with Jesus.


Here's an idea to make it even more personal and get the point across that WE helped pound those nails.
  • Create a wooden cross (of soft wood) and lay it on the floor in front of the sanctuary.  If you have a larger congregation you may need more than one.  
  • Have a few hammers (maybe 4 at each cross), nails, and some thumb tacks for the kids available at each cross.  
  • Provide some small pieces of paper as people arrive to write their name on.  That name represents them, their original sin, and all the sins they commit knowingly and unknowingly.
  • Traditionally we are to leave quietly after the loud noise.  A cool end to that service might be to have people nail their name to the cross before the loud noise.
  • Stand the cross(es) up in silence, hear the loud noise, and leave in silence.

The next question would be what happens to the names then on Easter Sunday?  There are a few options:
  • Take them all down so that the cross is empty as the resurrection wiped those sins away.  It would be your option to take the nails as well or leave them there as symbols for the next few weeks.
  • Before the Easter Sunday celebration begins have a short skit at the beginning where the women who go to the tomb talk about the tomb being empty and while they speak of the resurrection, they remove the names.
  • Drape white over the cross to cover the sins.



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