They plotted. They planned. Then they
got Judas to lead them to Jesus. Jesus was innocent—He had done no wrong except
to challenge the thinking of those who thought they had it all figured out.
Though Jesus had healed, fed, restored, forgiven, taught and raised Lazarus from
the dead, they saw Him as a threat to their realm of power.
Though the crowd hailed Him as king
and shouted hosannas over him at the beginning of the week as He entered
Jerusalem; their tune changed to “Crucify” on Friday.
Washed hands
Turned heads
Lying witnesses
He could have called legions of
Angels to His rescue. Instead He stayed silent. He took the punishment: the
lashes of the whip, punches to His face, wore a crown of thorns pressed into
his brow and mockers’ spit on His beard.
Silently He bore them out of love.
He hung on a cross—gasping for
breath. Among the last words He spoke were, ‘Father, forgive them’. He became
the spotless lamb, the one without sin—the only one who could take our sin
away.
The rulers were relieved and thought
it was over.
His followers felt confused.
Satan pumped his fist thinking he
finally got the victory.
Yet, Friday became good. In the depth
of the tomb where the body of Jesus lay—alone, the third day was coming. Friday
became good because Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb—just three days was all that
was needed to redeem us from the grip of sin and death. Resurrection brought
forth redemption. Redemption covered our sin forevermore. Jesus took our punishment and paid our debt.
He didn’t suffer without a reason—we needed to be freed from Satan’s hold of death.
Because of Good Friday, we are free
when we believe who Jesus is, why He came and our need of a savior.
Satan believes in Jesus. Satan knows
the word of God. But, Satan will never acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all.
How about you?
May this Good Friday burst forth and bring salvation into your hearts, and light to your soul.
Jeanne
