Good Friday

Good Friday

April 3, 2026

Leading up to the season of Lent, we meditated on the Latin phrase “Memento Mori,” meaning “remember your death,” or “remember you must die.”

A difficult phrase to comprehend, a matter we’d prefer not to contemplate.

We don’t want to grapple with the idea of death, let alone give it room to exist in our minds. Yet, as people get older, the thought becomes unavoidable. 

As we discussed, one way the ancients kept the idea of death before them was by sometimes using the actual bones and skulls of loved ones who had already died; they would place these items on a worktable or desk. 

Naturally, this isn’t something we do today, nor would we consider it.

Yet, the season of Lent is meant to encourage us to reflect on “Memento Mori.” It aims to prompt us to confront aspects of life that weaken our faith, especially those that often lead us to sin and spiritual death. 

And we don’t need to look far for examples in our lives that lead us to death.

Reflect on tonight’s readings about Judas’ actions as he betrayed Jesus and handed Him over to the chief priests and Pharisees. Are you any different from Judas? How often do you find yourself being greedy and selfish, only thinking of yourself? 

In this way, you have delivered Jesus over to be scourged.

Then there’s Peter. You want to confess with him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16). But honestly, when was the last time you discussed or confessed the Christian faith outside of these walls? With a friend, a coworker, or a family member?

Sometimes we forget that words left unsaid still carry meaning. They still confess something, and in this case, they reflect Peter’s cowardly nature when it mattered most, as he said, “I do not know the man.” (Matthew 26:72)

In this way, you are a feeble witness as your Savior was tried as a criminal for your offenses.

Yet, the example of Pilate still remains. He’s indifferent at best, and when faced with a choice, Pilate will take the easy way out, handing Jesus over to be crucified rather than standing firm against the mobs. 

Like with Peter, consider how you approach and assess the situation, choosing the easier path, and instead of standing up for what is right and confessing Jesus, you let your selfishness lead you to hand Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. 

To die.

All of these events led to Jesus’ death on the cross; however, while Jesus did die on the cross about two thousand years ago, today is really about your own death. 

As we read in the book of Romans, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Or a little later in Romans, we hear the familiar passage,

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

We speak this verse often, because we have a great need for “Memento Mori.”

We have a profound need to remember our own death and mourn the things that lead us toward death. We must turn away from what harms our faith. To drown our betrayal, denial, and selfish indifference to Christ in the waters of Holy Baptism, remember that we must die to sin in order to rise to new life. 

When we can do this, “Memento Mori” isn’t as scary as it first appears.

On this Good Friday, remember your death by taking up the cross in your hands, placing it before your eyes each day, seeing your Savior on the cross, and recognizing your own death on the cross. 

One of the wonderful aspects of the hymns we sing tonight is that they allow us to meditate on this reality. Using the closing stanza of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” let it serve as a prayer and a reflection of joy and life. 

       Be Thou my consolation,
    My shield, when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion
    When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
    Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
    Who dieth thus dies well.

As Lent comes to an end, keep these words and the cross of Jesus before you and remember that His death is your death, “Memento Mori.” 

But His life is also your life. So, look to the cross, keep it in your sight, hold onto it, for there hangs the Life that ends all death.

+INJ+

Rev. Noah J. Rogness

Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Tomah, WI

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org

The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/