Good Friday

Acts 3:25, 26 NLT

“And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it.  He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, (28) for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people.  It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

Several years ago I preached a series of sermons about the formal trials of Jesus.  What amazed me about the trials is how that in a twelve hour time frame five or six different times Jesus' identity, integrity, and authority were all questioned, all in a formal trial setting.  Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin Counsel, Pilate, Herod, and back to Pilate all played a role in questioning Jesus.  Then Jesus was led to a place call Calvary. 

I wonder what bothered Jesus the most in the last 24 hours, before his crucifixion. 

• Was it when they tied and led him to Pilate, the governor? 
• Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? 
• Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? 
• Was it the beating with whips? 
• Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns?
• Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!"?
• Was it when some spit on him? 
• Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? 
• Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!"?
• Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?

Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts.  Nowhere in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..."  What Jesus did think about when on the cross was what came out of his mouth, "It is finished!" The battle has been won and the victory is ours. Jesus was willing to pay the supreme sacrifice that we might have forgiveness of sin. 

Without "Good Friday" there would be no "Resurrection Sunday!" 

On this day we commemorate the sacrifice that was paid for our sins, that we might have life and have it abundantly. I look forward to Sunday, where we can celebrate His resurrection. For "He is not here, He is risen!" 

Have a great Easter weekend!

Scriptures to read today:  Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37