Passion Week - Good Friday

Trial and Crucifixion

This painting of Jesus on the cross is one of those traditionally used. Many others were available, some showing the blood and gore of the scene. In some respects, one of those might have been appropriate to use here, but I chose this one as it very simply brings a visual reminder of our Lord's act of love and mercy.

Jesus' trial was a farce in the best of human imaginations. But then it could be assumed that it was representative of most trials conducted by Rome. And while we can critique the methods used to send Jesus to the cross, we need to acknowledge that without some sort of unfairness Jesus probably wouldn't have been sentenced to die in that way.

The seven words of Christ are often used for meditations on this day around the country. But one of my favorite themes in remembering the death of Jesus is one that I have very seldom heard expounded. That theme comes from John's and Matthew's accounts of the event. Matthew records this: "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit" (Matthew 27:50). The Apostle John records, "When he had received the dring, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (John 19:30).

It has always been my contention that the Romans did not take Jesus' life - rather He gave it up. He gave it up voluntarily before he would have died from the crucifixion itself. (Remember how the soldiers were surprised when they came to sped up the process of death by breaking the legs of the dying - they found that Jesus had already died, and they didn't need to break his legs.) Jesus had said in a passage in John 10:17-18: "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life -- only to take it up again. 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."

One might ask why this is important. It is important to me because it reveals that God is in control of what happened to Jesus, even if it didn't seem that way to his followers who were there. After all it was God's purpose in sending Jesus for Him to die for the sins of mankind. But it was to happen at the time of God's choosing. It was God who made the decision that the work Jesus came to do was finished.

One more thing to remember here. God's way to life is through death. That was true for Jesus and it is true for all who would follow Him. Jesus' own words were, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:23-24). As was so aptly put by the speaker at the Good Friday breakfast this morning in the Villa, "Easter must always be preceded by Good Friday." That's God's way. We await Easter morning!

There will be no post here for Saturday. I remain -

Pilgrim on the way