This is Friday’s Additional Weekday Lectionary Bible reading, which we will include in the Cam Villages pop-up prayer.
Matthew 27.27-44
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 28 They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they knelt down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross. 33 When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,” 34 they gave him sour wine† to drink mixed with gall.‡ When he had tasted it, he would not drink. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing amongst them, casting lots,§ 36 and they sat and watched him there. 37 They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38 Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. 39 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
41 Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees,☩ and the elders, said, 42 “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.
Notes to the text
† 27:34: or, vinegar
‡ 27:34: Gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green oil from a wormwood plant that is alcoholic in its effect.
§ 27:35: TR adds “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They divided my garments amongst them, and for my clothing they cast lots;’ ” [see Psalm 22:18 and John 19:24]
☩ 27:41: TR omits “the Pharisees”
World English Bible, British Edition
The Psalm for Friday is Psalm 88, which may be found (complete with the Common Worship refrain and a concluding prayer) through this link.
John Keble, Anglican poet and priest (1792-1866)
Today we remember John Keble, an influential Anglican writer. You can find more about him at Wikipedia, or read some of his poetry and hymnody here.
He is probably best remembered for two hymns, Blest are the pure in heart and New every morning is the love. Here is verse from a lesser-known hymn, Lord of life, prophetic Spirit, in which the poet asks God to revive the whole Church through a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst come that fire to kindle;
Fain would we Thy torches prove,
Far and wide Thy beacons lighting
With th’undying spark of love:
Only feed our flame, we pray Thee,
With Thy breathings from above.