Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Matthew 27:27-35 (KJV)
Nothing good about it. Read the whole story again slowly, it was a horrible day. But people wouldn’t celebrate a Horrible Friday.
After all the physical abuse done to him, who could look directly at him? Instead, we see his hands and feet nailed to the Cross. We see the crown of thorns on his head. We see the pierced side with its blood and water. We see his mother groaning in agony as she watches her innocent son being crucified. We listen to him instruct his disciple to take care of his mother. How could he be so considerate in the midst of his circumstances? The skies above turned dark and the thunder rumbled as he cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Then he cried out one last time, “It is finished!” and died. His mother and John must have stared dumbfounded as they took him off the Cross and hauled his body away. Like any of us, they were probably numb with grief. From the human viewpoint, there was nothing good about that Friday.
But from the spiritual viewpoint, it was the greatest day of all time. It was not good because of the abuse, mocking, and crucifixion. But, what that crucifixion achieved for all humanity is what causes it to be great. Eternal salvation is why we can call it Good Friday.
Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. We do not deserve the sacrifice you made for us. Forgive us our faults, failures, and sins. Empower us to honor your sacrifice with lives obedient to your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his salvation and live obedient to his will,