Good Friday | He Who Suffered on Calvary

"This is the center of the gospel - this is what the Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday are all about - that God has done astonishing and costly things to draw us near."  - John Piper, American theologian and pastor (1946-Present)

In Christianity, Good Friday is a sacred day that observes the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a time for contemplating the sacrifice of Christ and the deep, intense meaning of his death. It is typically honored on the Friday before Easter during Holy Week.

We can find the documented incidents of Good Friday in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The account is set in motion with the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples.

Following His betrayal by Judas Iscariot in the garden, Jesus appears in front of the Sanhedrin, where He is incriminated and convicted of blasphemy (Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:66-71, John 18:19-24).

Jesus is then taken before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, who cannot find any fault in Him but caves in to the demands of the crowd's demands for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-19:16). 

Pilate then symbolically washes his hands and declares himself innocent of Jesus' blood (Matthew 27:24). The governor’s soldiers then took Jesus into the Praetorium (the governor's headquarters), where He was mocked and scourged before putting a scarlet robe on him and placing a crown of thorns on His head (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3).

The soldiers then lead Jesus to Golgotha (the place of the Skull), and crucify Him between two criminals (Matthew 27:32-38, Mark 15:21-28, Luke 23:26-33, John 19:17-18).

While being crucified, Jesus utters several deep and thoughtful statements, including His prayer forgiving His persecutors: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). Furthermore, He promises the penitent thief a place with Him in heaven (Luke 23:43).

About noon, darkness came over the land until three in the afternoon when Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, c lemasabachthani?" ("My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?") Thus indicating the crushing weight of our sin and His estrangement from God (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).

Aware that His mission was now finished, in order to fulfill Scripture Jesus says, "I am thirsty." He is then offered a fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch which was held it up to his mouth. Upon receiving it, Jesus declares, "It is finished!" (John 19:30)

Bowing His head Jesus surrenders His life to God the Father; and not having it forcefully stripped away from Him (Luke 23:46; John 10:17–18). At that moment, the temple curtain is ripped in two, symbolizing the the end of the Old Covenant and the opening the way for humanity to have direct access to God.

This remarkable event was only made possible because of Jesus' crucifixion. He became the ultimate atoning sacrifice (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45). The earth also shook, rocks split, and tombs broke open, proving the universal importance of this episode (Matthew 27:51-54).

Unquestionably, Good Friday contains vital theological importance as it emphasizes the doctrine of atonement. The death of Jesus, who serving as the ultimate Passover Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), is considered the fulfillment of the OT prophecies and sacrificial systems.

The Apostle Paul beautifully expresses this in his epistle to the Romans: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).

In closing, I've listed some main points of our discussion of Good Friday below. We have learned that:

• The crucifixion is crucial to the Christian comprehension of salvation, underscoring themes of substitutionary atonement, reconciliation, and justification;
• As a result of his death, Jesus reconciles a holy God and sinful humanity, by offering forgiveness and eternal life to all believers in Him (John 3:16);
• Good Friday is a solemn memorial day in Christianity, observing the crucifixion of Jesus. It signifies a time for reflecting on Christ's sacrifice and the deep meaning of his death.

Scripture: Psalm 22:1; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 2:24

Prayer: "We love and bless you, O Christ, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen."

May God richly bless you,

~Eve