Today was a silent day. Jesus was in the grave. I will use this opportunity to share the events of a day Christians call Good Friday. To me, this is an oxymoron. This was a day of brutality to the one who is perfect. It was not good to the one suffering, and yet in some sense, it was. He was fulfilling the plan to offer mankind redemption. A plan that was put in place before the beginning of time. It was good for mankind because without it no one could go to heaven. Those who lived before this historical account placed their faith in what was going to happen. They were looking forward in time. We place our faith in what did happen. We look back.
After Jesus was betrayed and arrested the disciples became fearful. Everything changed. Their heads must have been spinning because the events of Jesus life were coming to a crashing halt. They were helpless against the soldiers. They had been with Jesus over the past three years serving and learning about this friend that was their Master. Now, as fear gripped them they were helpless. Jesus had tried to tell them he would be leaving them, but they couldn’t quite grasp the events taking place. He tried to explain it would be better for everyone. Jesus could only be in one place at a time, but the Holy Spirit could be within each of them all the time.
John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Just hours before, they were all happy eating the Passover meal together. After the meal, he took Peter, James, and John with him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was in agony as he prayed. Such agony an angel came to strengthen him. The Bible tells us he was in such sorrow he sweats great drops of blood.
Luke 22:42-44 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
After much praying, while His disciples slept, Jesus resigned himself to what was about to happen. He was arrested. Judas led the soldiers and the multitude to Jesus. He kisses Jesus on the side of his face, as a greeting to a friend, to signify Jesus was who they wanted.
Luke 22:47-48 “And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
At about 1:30 a.m. Jesus is beaten and brought before Annas, the former Jewish High Priest. Then he is ushered before Caiaphas, the current Jewish High Priest, and the Sanhedrin Court. At this point, his body was bloody from all the abuse. Now, about 3:00 a.m. He is thrown into prison at Caiaphas’ palace. Trial three peruses around 5:00 a.m. with all the Jewish elders, High Priest, scribes and whole Sanhedrin. From this trial, the Roman government is asked to crucify Jesus. Now he is sent to a hearing before the Roman governor Pilate. Pilate declares, “I find no guilt in this man.” Pilate sends Him to a hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who has jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus does not defend himself with answers, so he is sent back to Pilate.
Pilate has Jesus brutally beaten hoping this will satisfy the Jews but to no avail. They were out for blood and nothing, but a cruel death would satisfy their thirst for vengeance. It was the time of the year that one prisoner could be pardoned and released. Pilate hoped they would choose Jesus, but they did not.
Luke 23:13-18 “And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:”
Pilate finally gave in to their demands for fear of the people. Around 8:00 a.m. the Roman soldiers take Jesus into the open courtyard and mock him and continue to torture him. They even drove thorns into His skull with a crown of thorns they had made to mock Him.
Around noon the journey to Golgotha began. The beating was so severe he was beyond recognition. Next, He was forced to carry His own cross. So weak from the beatings He fell. Another man who was in the crowd was summoned to carry His cross for Him.
Now, the cross was laid on the ground and Jesus laid on it. His hands and His feet were nailed to the cross with large spikes. Then he was raised and lowered with a thud into a hole to hold the cross erect.
The final three hours were unbearable pain, but the most horrible part for Jesus was when our sins were placed on Him, and His Father turned away from Him. The only time in all of history Jesus and His Father were separated completely. The Father could not have any part of sin. He is holy and could not look upon it. This was Jesus most agonizing time. No love or comfort from His Father could be attained. Why? Because the debt of sin had to be paid for us to gain an opportunity to be forgiven and have the promise of Heaven.
Those were the most momentous three hours in the history of the world. Without them, there would be no hope for mankind to escape Hell!
These were the words of Jesus spoken from the cross;
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34. … Even during His agony, He was thinking of those who had crucified Him.
Today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43. … These words were spoken to one of the thieves that were being crucified for his wrongdoing. The thief had declared His belief in Jesus and Jesus forgave him and declared his entrance into Heaven.
Woman behold thy Son… John 19:26 Jesus was speaking to His mother.
Behold your son: behold your mother. …John 19:27… Jesus asks John to take care of His mother. From that point on John took her into his home.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
I thirst. … In John 19:28 Jesus proclaims “I thirst” this was a fulfilling of the scripture.
It is finished. …John 19:30 … the debt was paid.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46 Jesus takes His last breath on the cross.
All of this was for you and me! Think about this today!
