Lutheran Lectionary for 03 April 2026 (Good Friday)

Welcome to the Lutheran Lectionary Podcast from Confident Faith.

I am Corey J. Moller, a contributor here at Confident Faith, and I will be your reader today.

This good Friday, the 3rd of April, in the year of our Lord, 2026, in the time of Easter.

Our readings for today are Isaiah, starting with chapter 52, verse 13, and reading through

chapter 53, verse 12, Psalm 22, Psalm 31, Hebrews chapter 4, verses 14 through 16, and chapter

5, verses 7 through 9, and John starting with chapter 18, verse 1, and reading through

chapter 19, verse 42, we will close, as always, with the Lord's Prayer.

Today's first reading comes from the book of Isaiah, and we will be reading from verse

13 of the 52nd chapter, through verse 12 of the 53rd chapter.

See my servant shall understand, and he shall be exalted and glorified exceedingly.

Just as many shall be astonished at you.

So shall your appearance be without glory from men, and your glory be absent from the men.

So shall many nations be astonished at him, and King shall shut their mouth, because those

who were not informed about him shall see, and those who did not hear shall understand.

Lord who is believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed.

He grew up before him like a child, like a root in a thirsty land.

He has no form or glory, and we saw him and he had no form or beauty.

But his form was without honor, failing beyond all men, a man being in calamity and knowing

how to bear sickness, because his face is turned away, he was dishonored and not esteemed.

This one bears our sins and suffers pain for us, and we accounted him to be in trouble,

and calamity in ill-treatment.

But he was wounded because of our acts of lawlessness, and has been weakened because of our sins.

Upon him was the discipline of our peace, by his bruise we were healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray, a man has strayed in his own way, and the Lord gave

him over to our sins.

And he, because he has been ill-treated, does not open his mouth, like a sheep he was

led to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before the one shearing it, so he does not open

his mouth.

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away, who will describe his generation, because

his life is being taken from the earth, and he was led to death on account of the acts

of lawlessness of my people.

And I will give the wicked for his burial, and the rich for his death, because he committed

no lawlessness, nor was deceit found in his mouth.

And the Lord desires to cleanse him from his blow, if you give an offering for sin, your

soul shall see a long lived offspring, and the Lord wishes to take away, from the pain

of his soul, to show him light, and fill him with understanding, to justify a righteous

one who was well subject to many, and he himself shall bear their sins.

Therefore he shall inherit many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because his

soul was given over to death, and he was reckoned among the lawless, and he bore the sins of

many, and because of their sins he was given over.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Today's first reading from the Psalter is the twenty-second Psalm.

My God, my God, attend to me.

Why did you forsake me?

Far away from my deliverance are the words of my transgressions.

Oh, my God, I will cry by day, and you will not listen, and by night and it becomes

no folly for me.

But you, the commendation of Israel, reside in a holy place.

In you, our fathers hoped.

They hoped and you rescued them, to you they cried and were saved, in you they hoped

and were not put to shame.

But as for me I am a worm and not human, a reproach of mankind and despised by people.

All who saw me mocked me, they talked with the lips they moved ahead.

He hoped in the Lord, let him rescue him, let him save him because he wanted him, because

it was you who drew me from the belly, my hope from my mother's breasts.

On you I was cast from the womb, and from my mother's stomach you have been my God.

Do not keep away from me because affliction is near, because there is no one to help.

Many bull calves encircled me, fat bulls surrounded me, they opened their mouth at me, like

a lion that ravens and roars.

Like water I was poured out, and all my bones were scattered.

My heart became like wax, melting within my belly.

My strength was dried up like a potchard, and my tongue is stuck to my throat.

And to death's dust you brought me down.

Because many dogs encircled me, a gathering of evildoers surrounded me.

They gouged my hands and feet.

I counted all my bones, but they took note and observed me.

They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, O Lord, do not put my help far away, attend to my support.

Rescue my soul from the sword, and from a dog's claw my only life.

Save me from a lion's mouth, and my lowliness from the horns of unicorns.

I will tell of your name to my kindred.

In the midst of an assembly I will sing a hymn to you.

You who fear the Lord praise him.

All you offspring of Jacob together glorify him.

Let all the offspring of Israel fear him.

As he did not despise or scorn the petition of the poor, nor did he turn away his face

from me, and when I cried to him he listened to me.

From you comes my commendation in a great assembly.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.

The needy shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek him shall praise the Lord.

Their hearts shall live forever and ever.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the paternal families

of the nations shall do obeisance before him, because kingship is the Lord's, and it

is he who is master over the nations.

All the fat ones of the earth ate into the dobeisance, all who descend into the earth shall

fall down before him, and my soul lives for him, and my offspring will serve him.

The coming generation will be announced to the Lord, and they shall announce his righteousness

to a people to be born, because the Lord acted.

Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forevermore.

Amen.

Today's second reading from the Psalter is the 31st Psalm.

In you, O Lord, I hope, may I never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me.

Incline your ear to me, be quick to deliver me.

Become to me a protector, God, and a house of refuge to save me, because you are my empowerment

and my refuge, and for your name's sake you will guide me and nourish me.

You will bring me out of this snare which they hid for me, because you are my protector.

In to your hands I will entrust my spirit.

You redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.

You hated those who carefully guarded vanities uselessly, but as for me I hoped in the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy, because you looked upon my humiliation.

You saved my soul from dire straits, and did not imprison me in an enemy's hands.

You set my feet in a spacious place.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, because I am being afflicted.

My eye was troubled by vexation, my soul and my belly, because my life failed in pain,

and my years in sighing.

My strength grew weak in poverty, and my bones were troubled.

With all my enemies I became a reproach, and to my neighbors very much, and a fright to

my acquaintances.

Those who would see me outside fled from me.

I passed out of mind like one who is dead.

I became like a broken vessel, because I heard censure from many sojourning all around,

when they gathered together against me.

They plotted to take my soul.

But as for me I hoped in you, O Lord, I said, you are my God.

My times are in your hands, rescue me from my enemies' hand and from my persecutors.

Shine your face upon your slave, save me in your mercy.

O Lord, may I not be put to shame, because I called on you.

May the impious be shamed, and be brought down to Hades.

Let the deceitful lips become speechless, which speak lawlessness against the righteous,

with pride and contempt.

Oh, how much is the abundance of your kindness, which you hid for those who fear you?

You accomplished it for those who hope in you, before the sons of men.

You shall hide them in a secret place of your presence, from human disturbance.

You will shelter them in a tent, from the contention of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord, because he wondrously showed his mercy in a city under siege.

But as for me, I said in my alarm, I have been cast from before your eyes.

Therefore you listen to the voice of my petition, when I cried out to you.

Of the Lord all you is devout, because the Lord seeks out truth, and repays those who

act excessively with pride.

Take courage and let your heart be strong, all you who hope in the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forevermore.

Amen.

Today's epistle reading comes from the book of Hebrews, and we will be reading the fourth

chapter, verses 14 through 16, and the fifth chapter, verses 7 through 9.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son

of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.

But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin, let us then with

confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to

help in time of need.

In the days of his flesh Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and

tears to him, who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and being made perfect,

he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Today's gospel reading comes from the book of John, and we will be reading from verse

1 of the 18th chapter through verse 42 of the 19th chapter.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook he

throne, where there was a garden which he and his disciples entered.

Now Judas who betrayed him also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.

So Judas having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests in

the Pharisees went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, whom

do you seek?

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus said to them, I am he.

Judas who betrayed him was standing with them.

When Jesus said to them, I am he.

They drew back and fell to the ground.

So he asked them again, whom do you seek?

And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus answered, I told you that I am he.

So if you seek me, let these men go.

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken.

Of those whom you gave me, I have lost not one.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest servant and cut

off his right ear.

The servant's name was Malkus.

So Jesus said to Peter, put your sword into its sheath, shall I not drink the cup that

the Father has given me.

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus

and bound him.

First, they led him to Annas for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest

that year.

It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should

die for the people.

Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple.

Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of

the high priest.

But Peter stood outside at the door, so the other disciple who was known to the high priest

went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door and brought Peter in.

The servant girl at the door said to Peter, you also are not one of this man's disciples

are you?

He said, I am not.

Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing

and warming themselves.

Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world.

I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple where all Jews come together.

I have said nothing in secret.

Why do you ask me?

Ask those who have heard me what I said to them.

They know what I said.

When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand

saying, is that how you answered the high priest.

Jesus answered him, if what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong.

And if what I said is right, why do you strike me?

Anis then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself, so they said to him, you also are not one

of his disciples are you?

He denied it and said, I am not.

One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off

asked, did I not see you in the garden with him?

Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

And they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters.

It was early morning.

They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters so that they would not be defiled

but could eat the Passover.

So Pilate went outside to them and said, what accusation do you bring against this man?

They answered him, if this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over

to you.

Pilate said to them, take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.

Pilate said to him, it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.

This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was

going to die.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, are you the king

of the Jews?

Jesus answered, do you say this of your own accord or did others say it to you about me?

Pilate answered, am I a Jew?

Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me.

Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world.

If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not

be delivered over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not from the world.

Then Pilate said to him, so you are a king.

Jesus answered, you say that I am a king.

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness

to the truth.

Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

Everyone said to him, what is truth?

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt

in him, but you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover.

So do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?

They cried out again, not this man, but Barabbas.

Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then Pilate took Jesus and flagged him, and the soldiers twisted together a crown of

thorns and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe.

They came up to him saying, hail king of the Jews, and struck him with their hands.

Pilate went out again and said to them, see I am bringing him out to you that you may know

that I find no guilt in him.

So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns in the purple robe.

Pilate said to them, behold the man.

When the chief priests and the officers saw him they cried out, crucify him, crucify him.

Pilate said to them, take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.

The Jews answered him, we have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because

he has made himself the son of God.

When Pilate heard this statement he was even more afraid.

He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, where are you from?

But Jesus gave him no answer.

So Pilate said to him, you will not speak to me, do you not know that I have authority

to release you and authority to crucify you?

Jesus answered him, you would have no authority over me at all, unless it had been given

you from above.

Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, if you release this

man you are not Caesar's friend, everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.

So when Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat

at a place called the Stone Pavement and an Aramaic Gabbitha.

And it was the day of preparation of the Passover.

It was about the sixth hour.

He said to the Jews, behold your king.

They cried out, away with him, away with him, crucify him.

Pilate said to them, shall I crucify your king?

The chief priest answered, we have no king but Caesar.

So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus and he went out, bearing his own cross to the place called the place

of a skull, which an Aramaic is called Golgotha.

There they crucified him and with him two others, one on either side and Jesus between them.

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.

It read, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.

Many of the Jews read this inscription for the place where Jesus was crucified was near

the city and it was written in Aramaic in Latin and in Greek.

So the chief priest and the Jews said to Pilate, do not write the king of the Jews, but rather

this man said, I am king of the Jews.

Pilate answered, what I have written, I have written.

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four

parts.

One part for each soldier, also his tunic.

But the tunic was seamless woven in one piece from top to bottom.

So they said to one another, let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall

be.

This was to fulfill the scripture which says, they divided my garments among them and

for my clothing they cast lots.

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and

his mother's sister, Mary the wife of clopus and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his

mother, woman, behold your son, then he said to the disciple, behold your mother and

from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all was now finished said to fulfill the scripture, I thirst.

A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a

hiss of branch and held it to his mouth.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, it is finished, and he bowed his head

and gave up his spirit.

Since it was the day of preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross

on the Sabbath, for that Sabbath was a high day.

The Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.

After the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and the other who had been crucified

with him.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood

and water.

He who saw it has borne witness, his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling

the truth, that you also may believe.

For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled.

And one of his bones will be broken.

And again another scripture says, they will look on him whom they have pierced.

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for

fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave

him permission.

So he came and took away his body.

Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of mur and

allows, about 75 pounds in weight.

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the

burial custom of the Jews.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden the new

tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

So because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid

Jesus there.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

I now invite all of you to join me in reciting the Lord's Prayer, one of the most ancient

prayers of the church.

I do encourage you to say it aloud if you are somewhere of be reasonable to do so, but

praying it silently is, of course, also fine.

The Lord knows what is in your heart.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be

done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who

trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for

the line is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen.

Go in peace and grace to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whatever calling

has been given you, or tasks set before you.