Today is Good Friday, the most significant day in history. It’s the day when the wages of sin, which is death, were paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. Last night, Jesus had dinner with his disciples, pointed out his betrayer, and experienced Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest’s assistant. Jesus, however, rebuked Peter, saying that this was not the way.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus cried and sweat blood, fearing the separation from God that he would endure. He was then arrested, beaten, mocked, and stripped of his clothing. Pontius Pilate offered the crowd a choice to free either Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal. The people chose to free Barabbas, and Jesus was crucified between two thieves.
One thief mocked Jesus, demanding that he save them if he truly had power. The other acknowledged his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence. Jesus promised the repentant thief that he would be with him in paradise that very day.
When Jesus died, darkness fell, the earth shook, and the temple curtain tore from top to bottom, signifying our new access to God through Christ. A soldier even proclaimed, “Truly he was the Son of God.” With his last breath, Jesus declared, “It is finished,” and chose to die, having paid the price for our sins.
Good Friday is powerful because it represents Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Easter Sunday, then, is the proof that it was all real, as Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death forever.
Even Jesus’ closest disciples struggled to understand his mission until after the resurrection. The Bible, along with historical documents and the testimonies of billions of believers, make a compelling case for the truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
I pray that you believe in Jesus and his sacrifice, celebrated on Good Friday, and that you find freedom and strive to live beautifully from this day forward. Remember, when we stumble, Jesus has already paid the price for our sins.
Good? Friday
