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| "Our Lord Jesus Christ" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Isaiah
50: 4 - 7
4
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I
may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by
morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
5
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned
not backward.
6
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out
the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7
For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded;
therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall
not be put to shame.
PSALM:
Psalms 22:
8 - 9, 17 - 20, 23 - 24
8
"He committed his cause to the LORD; let him deliver him, let
him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
9
Yet thou art he who took me from the womb; thou didst keep me safe
upon my mother's breasts.
17
I can count all my bones -- they stare and gloat over me;
18
they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast
lots.
19
But thou, O LORD, be not far off! O thou my help, hasten to my aid!
20
Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog!
23
You who fear the LORD, praise him! all you sons of Jacob, glorify
him, and stand in awe of him, all you sons of Israel!
24
For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to
him.
SECOND
READING: Philippians
2: 6 - 11
6
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with
God a thing to be grasped,
7
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the
likeness of men.
8
And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient
unto death, even death on a cross.
9
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on
earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
GOSPEL:
Luke 22:
14 - 23:
56 Or Luke
23: 1 - 49
14
And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him.
15
And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer;
16
for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the
kingdom of God."
17
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take
this, and divide it among yourselves;
18
for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the
vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave
it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do
this in remembrance of me."
20
And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is
poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
21
But behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22
For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that
man by whom he is betrayed!"
23
And they began to question one another, which of them it was that
would do this.
24
A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as
the greatest.
25
And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise
lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called
benefactors.
26
But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the
youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
27
For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves?
Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who
serves.
28
"You are those who have continued with me in my trials;
29
and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,
30
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might
sift you like wheat,
32
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you
have turned again, strengthen your brethren."
33
And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison
and to death."
34
He said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day,
until you three times deny that you know me."
35
And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no purse or bag
or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."
36
He said to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it, and
likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy
one.
37
For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, `And he
was reckoned with transgressors'; for what is written about me has
its fulfilment."
38
And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he
said to them, "It is enough."
39
And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives;
and the disciples followed him.
40
And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you
may not enter into temptation."
41
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and
prayed,
42
"Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me;
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
43
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became
like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
45
And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them
sleeping for sorrow,
46
and he said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you
may not enter into temptation."
47
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called
Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to
kiss him;
48
but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of man
with a kiss?"
49
And when those who were about him saw what would follow, they said,
"Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
50
And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his
right ear.
51
But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear
and healed him.
52
Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and
elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as
against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53
When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay
hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
54
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high
priest's house. Peter followed at a distance;
55
and when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and
sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56
Then a maid, seeing him as he sat in the light and gazing at him,
said, "This man also was with him."
57
But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
58
And a little later some one else saw him and said, "You also are
one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
59
And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted,
saying, "Certainly this man also was with him; for he is a
Galilean."
60
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying."
And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.
61
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the
word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows
today, you will deny me three times."
62
And he went out and wept bitterly.
63
Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him;
64
they also blindfolded him and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is it
that struck you?"
65
And they spoke many other words against him, reviling him.
66
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered
together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away to
their council, and they said,
67
"If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If
I tell you, you will not believe;
68
and if I ask you, you will not answer.
69
But from now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of
the power of God."
70
And they all said, "Are you the Son of God, then?" And he
said to them, "You say that I am."
71
And they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard
it ourselves from his own lips."
1
Then the whole company of them arose, and brought him before Pilate.
2
And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man
perverting our nation, and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar,
and saying that he himself is Christ a king."
3
And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And
he answered him, "You have said so."
4
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find
no crime in this man."
5
But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching
throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place."
6
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7
And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent
him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.
8
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to
see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see
some sign done by him.
9
So he questioned him at some length; but he made no answer.
10
The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.
11
And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him;
then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent him back to Pilate.
12
And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day,
for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the
people,
14
and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was
perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I
did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him;
15
neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing
deserving death has been done by him;
16
I will therefore chastise him and release him."
18
But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and
release to us Barab'bas" --
19
a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in
the city, and for murder.
20
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus;
21
but they shouted out, "Crucify, crucify him!"
22
A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I
have found in him no crime deserving death; I will therefore chastise
him and release him."
23
But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be
crucified. And their voices prevailed.
24
So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted.
25
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection
and murder, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their
will.
26
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyre'ne, who was
coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it
behind Jesus.
27
And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women
who bewailed and lamented him.
28
But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not
weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29
For behold, the days are coming when they will say, `Blessed are the
barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never
gave suck!'
30
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us'; and to
the hills, `Cover us.'
31
For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it
is dry?"
32
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death
with him.
33
And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they
crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the
left.
34
And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
35
And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him,
saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the
Christ of God, his Chosen One!"
36
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar,
37
and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
38
There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the
Jews."
39
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are
you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40
But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since
you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41
And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our
deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42
And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom."
43
And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with
me in Paradise."
44
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the
whole land until the ninth hour,
45
while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn
in two.
46
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy
hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his
last.
47
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and
said, "Certainly this man was innocent!"
48
And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw
what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
49
And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from
Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.
50
Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathe'a.
He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,
51
who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking
for the kingdom of God.
52
This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53
Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him
in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid.
54
It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.
55
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the
tomb, and how his body was laid;
56
then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath
they rested according to the commandment.
Or
1
Then the whole company of them arose, and brought him before Pilate.
2
And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man
perverting our nation, and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar,
and saying that he himself is Christ a king."
3
And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And
he answered him, "You have said so."
4
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find
no crime in this man."
5
But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching
throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place."
6
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7
And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent
him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.
8
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to
see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see
some sign done by him.
9
So he questioned him at some length; but he made no answer.
10
The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.
11
And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him;
then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent him back to Pilate.
12
And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day,
for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the
people,
14
and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was
perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I
did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him;
15
neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing
deserving death has been done by him;
16
I will therefore chastise him and release him."
18
But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and
release to us Barab'bas" --
19
a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in
the city, and for murder.
20
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus;
21
but they shouted out, "Crucify, crucify him!"
22
A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I
have found in him no crime deserving death; I will therefore chastise
him and release him."
23
But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be
crucified. And their voices prevailed.
24
So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted.
25
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection
and murder, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their
will.
26
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyre'ne, who was
coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it
behind Jesus.
27
And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women
who bewailed and lamented him.
28
But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not
weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29
For behold, the days are coming when they will say, `Blessed are the
barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never
gave suck!'
30
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us'; and to
the hills, `Cover us.'
31
For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it
is dry?"
32
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death
with him.
33
And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they
crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the
left.
34
And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
35
And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him,
saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the
Christ of God, his Chosen One!"
36
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar,
37
and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
38
There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the
Jews."
39
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are
you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40
But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since
you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41
And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our
deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42
And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom."
43
And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with
me in Paradise."
44
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the
whole land until the ninth hour,
45
while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn
in two.
46
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy
hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his
last.
47
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and
said, "Certainly this man was innocent!"
48
And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw
what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
49
And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from
Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.
