Good Friday

Good Friday.  The word “good” brings mental images of pleasant things.  Your favorite ice cream.  A sunny day.  Smiling faces.  So, pairing the word “good” with the Friday that Jesus experienced can be perplexing at times.  It forces us to consider that our perspective may be skewed.

Jesus was guilty of no crime.  He was walking in His purpose.  He was fulfilling God’s call on His life.  After He was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, He was taken before Annas, a high priest, to stand trial for his supposed crimes.  Annas wants Jesus to explain His disciples and His doctrine.  Jesus responds by saying that He taught in public places.  His doctrine was not secret and anyone who had listened to Him knew what He stood for.  His honest response earned Him a slap in the face and a journey to Caiaphas, the high priest.

After Caiaphas, Jesus is granted an audience with Pilate.  Pilate is the Roman governor of Judea at this time.  The Jews are hungry for Jesus’ blood, and Pilate is in the position to satisfy their craving.  Pilate gives Jesus multiple opportunities to get himself off the hook.  Jesus answers him truthfully each time.  Although Pilate can find no fault with Jesus, he gives the Jews the opportunity to release their rejected King.  He reminds them that he releases one prisoner from the death penalty during Passover.  Do they want him to release Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal?  They scream that Barabbas should be released, and Jesus should die.  Does this seem like a good Friday?

Jesus, perfect in all His ways, is sentenced to death.  He hangs from the cross between two criminals.  Above His head is a sign that proclaims, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  Below his feet stand his mother and John, his disciple.  Jesus walked in His truth.  He is fulfilling His purpose, and yet I’m sure those who loved Him didn’t feel that this day was particularly good.  At that moment, they wouldn’t have placed it in a category of treasured memories.

But let me tell you why this Friday was oh so good.  It was good because Jesus was doing what His Father told Him to do.  He was obedient.  He was faithful even unto death.  Although everything that happened hurt Him physically, spiritually, and emotionally, it was all part of God’s good and perfect plan. 

Life can be painful.  I’m a definite witness to that.  I could tell stories of pain for days.  But I can also give you real evidence of how God used painful situations in my life for His glory.  I just wasn’t privy to the end of the story when I was going through those trials.  Good Friday is so good to the body of Christ, because we know that it’s not the end of the story.  We have our eyes set on early Sunday morning.  That’s when the Son rises and our lives really begin.  #wepreach