Honoring Our Jewish Neighbors This Holy Week
Proclaiming John’s Gospel on Good Friday
As Holy Week approaches, congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod prepare for the solemn proclamation of John’s Passion on Good Friday. Yet this powerful gospel text carries a painful legacy: the repeated reference to “the Jews” in ways that have historically fueled anti-Judaism and contributed to harm against Jewish communities.
The Consultation on Common Texts, the ecumenical body that curates the Revised Common Lectionary, invites worship leaders to offer important context before proclaiming John’s Gospel. Consider including the following paragraph in your printed worship materials or reading it aloud before the gospel is proclaimed on April 18, 2025:
“Throughout Christian history, references to ‘the Jews’ in scripture—particularly in John and Acts—have been used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and falsely assign blame for the death of Jesus. These references gloss over significant distinctions among religious leaders, such as Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, and obscure the fact that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jews. As Christians, we confess and lament the history of anti-Judaism associated with these texts. We renounce the evils of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. We strive for mutual understanding, respect, and partnership with Jewish neighbors and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation among people of all faiths.”
As Lutherans, we proclaim the gospel with the conviction that words matter. How we tell the story of Jesus’ passion shapes not only our faith but our relationships with others. Including this note acknowledges both our sacred story and the historical harm caused in its misreading. It is a small but essential step toward reconciliation.
To support this work, the ELCA offers resources for preachers, worship leaders, and educators. The ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations has produced a valuable guide titled Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People.” Additionally, the 2020 edition of Sundays and Seasons includes a helpful essay titled “The Jews” in John’s Passion that explores these themes in depth.
We encourage all congregations to use these resources as you prepare for Good Friday. Our calling is to proclaim the gospel with truth, love, and humility—bearing witness to Christ without causing harm to our neighbors.
