Thinking of the events that took place over 2,000 years ago on this day, it is difficult to think of it as “Good.” The pain Jesus must have felt is horrific. The physical suffering would have been excruciating, but in addition, his heart must have been completely broken. He healed multitudes who were suffering, yet he endured listening to a crowd calling out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” He had twelve disciples that were closer than brothers and before that day was over, one would betray him, handing him over to those who sought his demise, another would deny him three times and they all would scatter in fear.
Jesus prophesied these events before they came to pass.
“And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.””
(Mark 114:27-30)
Jesus knew this was the path that needed to be taken, the ultimate sacrifice for all sin present and in the future. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were made to atone for sin. With the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all sin then and now became eligible for God’s great forgiveness. God saw the pain, suffering and deception that was in the world, as clearly displayed by the Pharisees who sought at every turn to find criminal fault with Jesus to justify his conviction. God wanted a path forward for all to be forgiven and to establish a mechanism for each of us to have an individual relationship with Him, through the Holy Spirit.
Take a few moments to pray and seek God’s understanding and connection with the events that occurred on that day. Let this information seep into your heart and connect you to the pain Jesus suffered for our sins. Allow yourself to repent of sins you have committed and appreciate the depth of love and mercy shown by Jesus walking this path for us, for you!
During the last evening with his disciples, Jesus began by washing their feet. It was a lowly task, one of a servant, but that is exactly why Jesus came, to serve. He said it many times during his teachings and he wanted his disciples to have an example of that servitude and the great depth of love Jesus had for them. Jesus was the Son of God, but instead of putting himself in an elevated place, he humbled himself to serve. His desire was to reach each person on an individual, meaningful level, meeting each wherever they were. His heart was filled for love for his disciples, as it is for us, for you, and he displayed the depth of that love with the lowly task of washing each disciples’ feet.
After dinner, Jesus went to a quiet place to pray. Again, knowing what was ahead, Jesus prayed for God to choose a different path for him.
“He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.”
Mark 14:36
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42
God had a plan that went beyond this moment in time, beyond the suffering Jesus would endure. God’s almighty plan was for us to see a representation of his love for us. He allowed the ultimate suffering of his own beloved Son here on earth that we all may come to be saved and with God and Christ for eternity. God held nothing back to bring each of us to Him, to bring you to Him!!
Jesus loved his family on earth and desired for everyone to have a direct path to God. After finishing his time of prayer, he would be arrested. Betrayed by one of his own disciples with a kiss that identified him as Jesus, he was arrested and taken to the chief priests and scribes. Although they were unable to find any corroborating testimony, the Pharisees still convicted him for what they believed were false claims of being the Son of God.
Jesus was then blindfolded, mocked and tortured. A crown of thorns placed on his head and pushed down to draw blood from the crown of his head. He was later flogged with a “cat of nine tails”, which is a whip with nine “tails” of rope, each tied with small bone and sharp fragments to inflict the greatest amount of pain, tearing up skin and muscle with every lash. After 39 lashes, it is amazing Jesus was even able to survive the loss of blood. Then, for crucifixion, the punished were forced to carry their own cross to the site of the crucifixion. Imagine, the pain of the weight of a wooden cross on a back with flesh completely torn apart and raw! Jesus suffered all this pain and yet through the events of “Good” Friday, his message continued to be forgiveness. When Judas approached Jesus to identify Him to the Pharisees, Jesus still called him, “friend”.
“Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then, they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.”
Matthew 26:50
Jesus forgave Judas for his great betrayal in all history! The depth of Jesus’ love, mercy and forgiveness continued to be while hanging on the cross (believed to be one of the most painful ways to die).
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.””
Luke 23:34
Even from the cross, after all the pain and suffering, Jesus pleaded for those who persecuted Him. He pleaded for our forgiveness.
And finally, when Jesus breathed his last breath, he cried out.
“. . .”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46
He felt like he died alone on the cross, but God was with Him. And it was God’s almighty power that tore the temple in two, just as Jesus had prophesied. At that moment, the truth was known to the world.
“Not when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Matthew 27:54
Since that day, there have been numerous historical and scientific studies that attest to the life and death of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. Take some time to read the Gospels and let what Jesus did to save us for eternity rest in your heart. He would have come to earth and suffered that path even if you were the only sinner here on earth that required saving. He loves each of us that much and I will be praying for each reader to connect with that love, mercy and forgiveness.
Footnote: All scripture quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989, Published by Zondervan
Originally Published: 4/5/21