Good Friday

What we call Good Friday was a horrendous time in the life of Jesus. He went through a mockery of a trial at the Hight Priest home. He was questioned by Pilot and was found not guilty. He was then sent before Herod, who was the ruler over Galilee. Herod found no fault either. Jesus is then sent back to Pilot who tried to release Jesus with a beating. What is most disturbing was that the people who should have been elated that Jesus had come, the Pharisees and Sadducees, are the people who wanted Jesus dead. Why? Jesus threatened their position. He threatened their authority. Intuitively, they knew Jesus had real power, unlike theirs. They could not stand that Jesus did not obey their sabbath laws and that He spent time with outsiders and neglected people. They could not imagine that God cared for them. So they worked up a plan to have the Roman’s kill Him. When Pilot wanted to release Jesus. The leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, whipped the people into a frenzy calling for Barabbas to be released. They twisted the arm of Pilot saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” In Matthew 27 Pilot had an uproar breaking out. So he literally washed his hands of the situation and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” (Matt 27:24) Now look at how demonic the situation had become. The crowd’s response was, "His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matt 27:25) Jesus death was now certain.

Jesus was beaten with a whip. He was mocked. The Praetorium guard striped Him, placed a purple rob on Him and a crown of thorns on His head. Then to insult Him the entire guard bowed to a knee. From here He is taken to be crucified. He is nailed to a cross. He is spit upon. He is mocked by the very people that arranged for Him to die. The Scribes and Elders said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Matt 27:42-43) He is railed on by one of the thieves hanging on the cross next to Him. The other thief saw the tenderness of Jesus, even while they hung on a cross. Jesus said, " “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The whole earth goes dark. What was that like? Did people begin to wonder about Jesus. Then Jesus says, "Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” (Luke 23:43) Jesus has died. He has paid the ultimate price for our sins! My sins! For your sins!

What we call Good Friday, is the most painful and horrendous event for Jesus. He went through all of this to have a relationship with us.