Good Friday marks the day that Jesus was crucified for the sins of mankind. Some speculate that it was originally “God’s Friday” and that it changed over time to the similar English word “good.” Whatever the history, it has continued to be called “Good Friday” because God’s sacrifice was for our good and for our benefit. God’s good grace for us on that day resulted in our salvation.
The Scriptures recount Jesus’ trial before Pilate, His examination before Herod, His beating and whipping, His crucifixion, His death, and His burial as all happening on this day. This is recorded with various details and emphases in Matthew 27:1-60; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 18:28-19:42. With so much happening on this day and because of the great significance of this day, there have been historically three different services that have been observed on Good Friday.
Certainly, this arises out of the Triduum (the three day celebration of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection), which, in the earliest days, was celebrated as a continuous service stretching over one day and night; this was known as Pascha. It was later stretched out over the three days and into three parts (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil). Pondering Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and the significance and Old Testament connections filled much of this time. After all, the centrality of Jesus’ death for us cannot be overstated nor should it be downplayed (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 11:26; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
While different texts of Scripture are used in these different services, the Gospel account of St. John has historically been the most often used and heard text for Good Friday as we ponder and reflect on Jesus’ passion in sorrow and joy of what He did for us. These three services are listed below with some details about them. Some churches construct their own Good Friday services, sometimes making use of elements of these. Others have created events that are not corporate worship services but experiences or events to help people ponder God’s Work in Jesus (such as the stations of the cross, etc.).
Chief Good Friday Service – This ancient service begins and ends in silence, without Invocation or Benediction. It is filled with Scripture readings and prayer. Historically, it has included the Passion reading from St. John, the ancient Bidding Prayer, and the Reproaches. However, many people note find the three things that really stand out in this service compared to the other two services is the Sentence and Response, the Reproaches, and the celebration of Holy Communion.
A makeshift or large wooden cross processes down the aisle and the Pastor says, “Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world” with the congregation responding, “O come, let us worship Him.” The Reproaches consist of God’s accusations against His people (Micah 6:3-4; Jeremiah 2:6-7; Isaiah 5:2-4), a response from an assistant of choir asking for mercy and the congregation also responding seeking mercy. Finally, the service culminates in communion, which declares Jesus’ death (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Tre-Ore Service – This service is known as the “three hours” service. While the Chief Good Friday Service can occur at any time on Good Friday, Tre-Ore has historically been offered or used between noon and 3 pm, the time when the sun went dark while Jesus was on the cross. It is not necessarily used as a service that fills the whole three hour time. Sometimes it is conceived of as 7 separate services that fill that time space with breaks scheduled between.
It is customary that the service focuses on the seven words that Jesus spoke from the cross as recorded in the Gospel accounts. It is a time of meditation on these sayings with sermons contemplating the significance of them for us. As such, there may be extended times of silence. It can be paced in other ways.
Tenebrae Service – This is known as the Service of Darkness (Tenebrae means “darkness”). Historically, it was an early morning service on all three days of the Triduum and observed with the services of Matins and Lauds (as early as midnight and unto the sunrise). The service was moved to occur on the evening of Good Friday and is usually associated with the Vespers service now. This service also begins and ends in silence without Invocation of Benediction. It consists of several psalms (22, 2, 27, 51), the Passion reading (usually from John but it could be from any of the Gospel accounts), and the Song of Habakkuk. The service involves candles being progressively put out through the service (tradition calls for seven). Lights are often dimmed as this occurs. A loud sound maybe heard as the last candle is put out. This loud noise is called the strepitus and has various interpretations (closing of the tomb, the earthquake at Jesus’ death, and His scourging by the soldiers).