“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”(John 19:28-30 NAS)
Good Friday. What is good about it? The followers of Christ on that terrible Friday in 33 AD didn’t think it was so good. Instead, it was an extremely long, tough, discouraging, dark day. For three years they had walked with Jesus in great hope, much confidence and great anticipation of the exciting future that Jesus would bring to their world. Yet here is this dark Friday in which their dreams and hopes are dashed.
Now, you know the rest of the story, but they didn’t know anything except that the one in whom they had placed all their hope was now crucified and dead about to be buried. What must have been going through their minds? For just a moment, let’s imagine what it would have been like for the first believers in Christ to see him hanging on the cross.
Do you think they might have felt defeated? What feelings must have been rushing through them? Do you suppose they might have been experiencing discouragement and hopelessness? They are looking at Calvary in all its horror and do not know that an empty grave is just ahead. All they can see is the Cross. All they can see is defeat. No one but Jesus could give them victory and He was on the Cross.
Isn’t that the way it is in our lives sometimes? We experience some discouragement . . . some disappointment . . . and some defeat. It is in those moments that we feel the darkness of Crucifixion Friday!
It is in those despairing moments that we gain strength from the Scripture. In Hebrews 12, Jesus is described as our champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Note his attitude in the face of seeming defeat: “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross.” That was an incredible attitude!
On Crucifixion Friday, we allow ourselves to feel the sorrow and darkness that those first believers experienced. Yes, we may get discouraged occasionally; we may be disappointed sometime; we may even experience despair; BUT there is still hope in the end of the story! You see Crucifixion Friday is not the end of the story. Resurrection Sunday is just ahead!
Dear Father, thank you for the victory we have in the Crucified, Resurrected Christ. Empower us with a hope that will be with us to the end. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in your hope,