Preparing For Holy Week–Good Friday

The events of Friday of passion week are well-known since this comprises what we usually think of as the crucifixion of Jesus. As we examine what happened on “Good Friday,” let us also ask what it is that makes it “good.” The activities of Good Friday can be found in Mark 15:1-47.

Jesus’ Friday began very early in the morning (did His Thursday ever end?) as the chief priests, elders, and scribes held a consultation. They may have done this to give legitimacy to the events of the previous night’s trial.

They then delivered Him to Pilate to get him to sign off on the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jews, as an Imperial province of Rome, could not impose a sentence of death.

Notice that Jesus gave no real answer to Pilate. He certainly did not defend Himself. History shows who of the two was bound and who was free.

Each of the four gospels were written in the providence of God to specific people and people groups. Mark wrote for the Romans. He included the story of Pilates’ vindication of Jesus. In the eyes of the Romans, Jesus was not a criminal. This in itself is an amazing fact. Josephus, the contemporary Jewish historian, spoke of Pilate as inflexible, “merciless, and obstinate.”

Jesus humiliation and death did not come quickly. He suffered immensely at the hands of evil and unconcerned men.

But His greatest suffering came for you and me. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and gave us His righteousness. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is what the darkness over the earth is about. All creation mourned His sacrifice. As He took our sin, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).

His sacrifice became our victory; His forsakenness became our hope. For this reason, this is “Good” Friday.

Today and tomorrow, I will have two posts each day. Please come back to waylonbailey.com during the day to view the second post.

Each day this week we will look at the what Jesus did during His last week of earthly ministry. Please join us each day as we discuss the events of holy week and their meaning for us. You may find the previous posts at www.waylonbailey.com on pages 1 and 2 of the website.

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