Today is Good Friday, but considering Good Friday is all about the
crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ, it kind of makes you wonder why it’s
called “Good” Friday. The crucifixion of an innocent man is the most brutal and
cruel act this world has ever seen, or was it? We call it Good Friday because the
sacrifice Jesus made on the cross paid the price for all of our sins. His thoughts
while he was hanging on the cross were made clear by the seven statements he
made has he hung there, nailed to this rugged piece of wood.
- Luke 23:34a. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not
know what they are doing.” As Jesus looked out on the mocking crowd, his
first thought was of forgiveness. He was there to die for the very sins that
put him there, the very hostility that led this crowd to nail him to the cross.
It wasn’t just their sin that was on his mind it was the sin of all people
throughout history. He understood that by nature we’re all sinners in need
of salvation, he knew that we were not able to do it on our own. So he hung
on that cross in excruciating pain, so that we could receive the forgiveness
of the father. - Luke 23:43, And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with
Me in Paradise.” Jesus died the death of a criminal that day, hanging on a
cross, crucified between 2 thieves. One of those thieves hurled insults at
him, in the face of death he continued to taunt the Lord of the universe.
The other one turned to Jesus, and asked him to remember him when he
came into his Kingdom. Jesus reply was an application of his first thought on
the cross, forgiveness. He reassured this thief that today he would join
Jesus in paradise. Today if we respond to Jesus in mercy we too will someday
join him in paradise. - John 19:26-27, When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He
loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the
disciple took her into his own household. The compassion of a son to his
mother was seen in this statement. Because he was hanging on that cross, his
thoughts, love, and care went out to his mother. He made sure that in her
darkest moment, in his darkest moment, that she would be taken care of.
The same problems we received from the Lord knowing that all things work
together for good to those who love Jesus and are called according to his
purpose. - Matthew 27:46, 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?” This was a cry of agony this all the sins
of the world fell upon him, as the wrath of God poured out I’m the only
innocent man to ever walk this planet. In that moment he felt the separation
from God, the separation that we all deserve. He took on this agony so that
you and me would never have to. 2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew
no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of
God in Him. - John 19:28, After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been
accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” This statement
fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament found in Psalm 22. The very
same man had said in John chapter 4, that anyone that accepts him would
never thirst again, cried out in anguish, as the sweat poured out of his body,
he became very thirsty. Just one more discomfort that Jesus took on, so
that we would never have to ever again. - John 19:30, Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It
is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. It is finished, no
greater words have been uttered up to this point. This statement tells us
that all that needed to be done for our salvation was finished right then and
there on the cross. All we need do is accept it, believe it, and follow our Lord
Jesus Christ. Our future glory and then the eternal Kingdom with our Lord
Jesus Christ was secured that day. - Luke 23:46, And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO
YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His
last. The price being paid Jesus returned to the father, and now he sits at
the right hand of God interceding for us on a daily basis. Jesus had fulfilled
the work of God, as God himself was born as a man, and paid the price to the
laws us now to spend an eternity with the father.
Everything that happened that day was all part of God’s plan. It may have
seemed like a cruel event as an innocent man died the most excruciating death
mankind has ever invented. We call it Good Friday, because although Jesus wish
there was another way, he knew and understand that the only way for us to be
reunited with the relationship with him, but the God had noticed the Trinity
was for him to die on the cross. This is just the beginning of the story as
Sunday we celebrate the resurrection and know and understand that our
relationship with God is restored and one day by faith we will spend an eternity
with him in heaven. God bless you on this Good Friday, and I hope to see you on
resurrection Sunday.