Other

And They Call It Good Friday

by Roland Crim
03/30/18
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Before there could be a glorious resurrection, there needed to be a brutal, sacrificial killing.

My mind is full of many thoughts about that day. Actually, my thoughts first go back to the evening before, when our Lord was praying in the garden, asking the Father if it was His will to please take the cup of suffering away. Yet, the Lord wanted this only if it was the will of the Father. But how could mankind be redeemed, saved from enslavement to sin, without the forthcoming suffering our Lord would endure? Angels had to come to strengthen Him.

I sit and ponder that our Lord did not attempt to defend Himself as He stood before His accusers. This amazed the procurator, Pontius Pilate. At any point during this trial, Jesus could have rescued Himself from His forthcoming crucifixion, yet He chose not to do so, that He might suffer for our salvation. They could not even find two people who agreed to any crime which He had committed. So instead, they decided that He must die because He proclaimed the truth when asked. Yes, He was and is the Son of God.

Jesus was beaten mercilessly, with His flesh being torn. Yet our Lord did not scorn, nor curse at those who did the lashing. Can you imagine what it would feel like to have nails driven through your hands and feet and then have your body lifted up upon a cross for the entire public to view? All during this, the Lord did not swear or curse at these people. To the contrary, He said “Father, forgive them, as they do not know what they are doing.” Truly amazing! And as He hangs there on a cross, finding it hard to breathe, He turns His mother, Mary, over to the care of His beloved disciple John. A criminal crucified next to Christ asks the Lord to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Our suffering Lord declares to this repentant sinner that on that very day he would be with the Lord in paradise.

Finally, realizing everything which the Father had given to Him to do had been accomplished, our Lord uttered His last words, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head and died.

Our Lord did all of this out of His love for mankind, and out of obedience to the Father. What would it be like if we had not been given a Savior? No Savior, no Holy Spirit to guide us in the ways of the Lord, no kingdom of God near at hand. What meaning would there then be to life? We would live only to die.

And they call it Good Friday.

May the fullness of the events of this day, approximately 2000 years ago and the following, glorious resurrection, remain in your hearts always.

Be blessed in His name.