GOOD FRIDAY

 WHEN WRATH AND MERCY MET AT THE CROSS.

 

REMEMBERING THE CRUCIFIXION

On a dark Friday two thousand years ago, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. Powerful members of the religious, political, and military communities colluded to strip him naked, mock him publicly, and crucify him. Yet two millennia later, Christians—who believe that Jesus is the Son of God—celebrate that dark day by calling it Good Friday.

On the Christian Holy Day known as Good Friday, observed the Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Good Friday, which is the end of Holy Week, as the week before Easter is called, concludes with the remembrance of the tortuous death Christ endured to bring salvation and everlasting life to his people. On that day, he was beaten, whipped, spat upon and cursed at. He carried his cross to the top of a mountain (Golgotha/Calvary outside of Old Jerusalem).

His death that day not only fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures about his sacrifice, but also set the stage for his resurrection on Easter. The beating he took on Good Friday fulfilled the prophesy in Isaiah 53 that states "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."

It does seem odd to refer to anybody’s death as "good." Yet, God’s good plan is often counterintuitive: As Jesus says, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life will find it; “the first are the last and the last are the first” (Mark 10:31).   

Think on this: even while powerful men were conspiring to kill the Son of God, God himself was acting to save the world from itself, once and for all. Even while the world’s authorities were conspiring to perpetrate history’s greatest evil, God was working to bring about history’s greatest good.  Take note of the heart of the Son of God as he hung dying on the cross for our sins.

Biblical accounts

According to the accounts in the Gospels, Jesus agonized on the cross for six hours. During his last three hours on the cross, from noon to 3 pm, darkness fell over the whole land, and Jesus spoke from the cross, quoting the messianic Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

• Jesus Christ made seven final statements during his last hours on the cross. As much as possible, given the approximate sequence of events as portrayed in the Gospels, these seven last words of Christ are presented here in chronological order.

1) JESUS SPEAKS TO THE FATHER

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (NIV)

During his excruciating suffering, the heart of Jesus was focused on others rather than himself. Here we see the nature of his love -- unconditional and divine.

2) JESUS SPEAKS TO THE CRIMINAL ON THE CROSS

Luke 23:43

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)

One of the criminals who was crucified with Christ had recognized who Jesus was and expressed faith in him as Savior. Here we see God's grace poured out through faith, as Jesus assured the dying man of his forgiveness and eternal salvation.

3) JESUS SPEAKS TO MARY AND JOHN

John 19:26-27

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." (NIV)

Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother.

None of his brothers were there to care for her, so he gave this task to the Apostle John. Here we clearly see Christ's humanity.

4) JESUS CRIES OUT TO THE FATHER

Matthew 27:46 (also Mark 15:34)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)

In the darkest hours of his suffering, Jesus cried out the opening words of Psalm 22. And although much has been suggested regarding the meaning of this phrase, it was quite apparent the agony Christ felt as he expressed separation from God. Here we see the Father turning away from the Son as Jesus bore the full weight of our sin.

5) JESUS IS THIRSTY

John 19:28

Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty." (NLT)

Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, ​and myrrh (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23) offered to alleviate his suffering. But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21.

6) IT IS FINISHED

John 19:30

... he said, "It is finished!" (NLT)

Jesus knew he was suffering the crucifixion for a purpose. Earlier he had said in John 10:18 of his life, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (NIV) These three words were packed with meaning, for what was finished here was not only Christ's earthly life, not only his suffering and dying, not only the payment for sin and the redemption of the world -- but the very reason and purpose he came to earth was finished.

His final act of obedience was complete. The Scriptures had been fulfilled.

7) JESUS' LAST WORDS

Luke 23:46

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)

Jesus closes with the words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see his complete trust in the Father. Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day of his life, offering up his life as the perfect sacrifice and placing himself in God's hands.

With a loud cry, Jesus gave up his spirit. There was an earthquake, tombs broke open, and the curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. This tear, according to Christian tradition, signified a removal of restriction of the common Jews from the Temple's "Holiest of Holies", and that God's people now could, themselves, communicate directly with their advocate before God, Jesus the Christ, rather than needing the Temple's High Priest as an intercessor. The centurion on guard at the site of crucifixion declared, "Truly this was God's Son!" (Matthew 27:45–54)

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin and secret follower of Jesus, who had not consented to his condemnation, went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus (Luke 23:50–52). Another secret follower of Jesus and member of the Sanhedrin named Nicodemus brought about a hundred-pound weight mixture of spices and helped wrap the body of Jesus (John 19:39–40). Pilate asked confirmation from the centurion of whether Jesus was dead (Mark 15:44). A soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance causing blood and water to flow out (John 19:34), and the centurion informed Pilate that Jesus was dead (Mark 15:45).

Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and placed it in his own new tomb that had been carved in the rock (Matthew 27:59–60) in a garden near the site of crucifixion. Nicodemus (John 3:1) also brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, and placed them in the linen with the body, in keeping with Jewish burial customs (John 19:39–40). They rolled a large rock over the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:60). Then they returned home and rested, because Shabbat had begun at sunset (Luke 23:54–56). Matt. 28:1 "After the Shabbat, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb". i.e. "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, .......". "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said..........”. (Matt. 28:6) On the third day, which is now known as Easter Sunday (or Pascha), Jesus rose from the dead.

 It is indeed a Good Friday because_

1. On the cross, Jesus suffered so that we would not have to suffer.

2. Through the cross, we can be reconciled to God and each other.

3. Because of the cross and resurrection, we have hope for the future.

The Bible connects Jesus’ crucifixion with his resurrection. After Jesus suffered on the cross, he was buried, but on the third day he rose from the grave! When he rose from the dead, he not only confirmed his divinity but declared that he would return one day to make things right. He will return to disestablish evil, sin, and death from their artificial throne, and establish himself as the true King over a kingdom characterized by justice, peace, and love (Rev 21-22).

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director, Playwright, Producer,

Gospel Lyricist, Screenwriter

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of Fine &

Performing Arts