Good Friday

Crucifixion was a slow and gruesome mode of punishment. It was a public spectacle that was reserved for the worst criminals. Death came from asphyxiation or shock.

Jesus hung on the cross for a period of six hours before He breathed His last. His wounded and naked body was displayed for all to see. Writhing in agony and groaning in pain, He bled from His hands, feet and forehead.

Around noon, darkness enveloped the city. Unusual as it was, it was also ominous. In biblical times, darkness symbolized God’s wrath and judgement.

Jesus spent the last three hours of His life alone, in excruciating pain, and in utter darkness. It was not just physical and emotional pain that He endured. All our sins, guilt and shame were laid upon Him. It is impossible for us to grasp the meaning and intensity of such suffering.

The Son of God did not have to go through this ordeal, but He chose to, because of His undying love for us. While He suffered, since He was fully God, He was in complete control over His death. He gave up His spirit with a loud cry that echoed through the dark clouds. It was a shout of victory over death and Satan. The veil in the temple was supernaturally torn in two, split from top to bottom. The earth shook violently.

On the cross, the Lamb of God fulfilled every requirement of the Law and prophecy in the Scriptures. The sinless Passover Lamb became the ultimate sin offering for us.

Jesus’ passion, that is His sacrificial suffering, points to His passion, that is His intense love for us. He was so passionate about rescuing us that He gave up His Heavenly home and came down to earth to live amongst us. He was so passionate about saving us that He traded His life for ours.

The sign on Jesus’ cross at Calvary read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Nearly 30 years had passed since the Magi from the East had come to Jerusalem in search of the King of the Jews. Guided by a star, they found young Jesus in the small town of Bethlehem and worshipped Him. Humanity’s search for a savior and longing for salvation culminate in Jesus Christ. Like the three wise men, let us fall on our knees and worship the King who saves us.

Respond

• What words will you use to worship Jesus as you reflect on His final moments on the cross?
• How do you know you are saved? How do others know you are saved?