“Good Friday is beautiful because it reminds us that we matter to the great Lord.” - Unknown
During this time of year, people often ask me, “Why do you believe Good Friday is a day to be celebrated?” Of course, the easy answer is because Sunday (Easter) is coming!!
Today I am chronicling the events of the first Good Friday.
The following is a list of what Jesus went through on the day of his death.
· Trials and interrogations by Jewish and Roman authorities.
· Sentenced to death by crucifixion – Pilot did not want to be responsible for this decision, so he gave the crowd a choice of Jesus or the prisoner Barabbas. The crowd yelled to crucify Jesus.
· He was flogged. He was struck 39 times; forty times would kill a man.
· Had to carry his cross and was exhausted and in excruciating pain; He fell. So, the Romans forced a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, to carry His cross.
· Crucified between two thieves.
· Died after six hours.
· The Sabbath would begin, so the soldiers broke the legs of the men being crucified when they came to Jesus, He was already dead.
· A guard stabbed Him.
· The body was taken down from the cross.
· Laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea
Jesus was not quite as He hung on the cross. Some of the things He said are:
· “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”
· To the thief, He said, “Today you will be in paradise with Me.”
· To John, His beloved disciple, He said, “Behold your mother.
· In anguish, He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
· “I thirst” – he was given a sponge full of wine and vinegar to moisten his lips.
· “It is finished. Father, into your hands, I commend my Spirit.
The tumultuous, chaotic first Good Friday was over.
You can read the Bible to find out more about Good Friday. The passages on Good Friday are found in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 28, and John 18.
Jesus willingly came to earth, knowing the price He would pay because He loves us. I have a difficult time comprehending this gift. As someone who has lost a child, I can’t imagine sending my son to earth to experience an excruciating death for a group of people who don’t deserve it.
I am grateful for Good Friday because of Christ’s death; I am forgiven and will spend eternity in heaven. That is why Good Friday is good; it leads to Easter Sunday, when Jesus is resurrected. Thankfully, God’s love for us is vast, and He wants us to spend eternity with Him. Therefore, we will address the resurrection in my next blog.
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