Being that it is Good Friday, I read the scriptures today to reflect on what happened over 2,000 years ago. It breaks my heart for what Jesus went through for me. He didn’t deserve it. So I pray, Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours.
Now that I’m older, I still reflect and try to understand why it’s called “Good”. As much as our Heavenly Father loves us and wants nothing but good for us (Matthew 7:11, Jeremiah 29:11) I think how hard it had to be to send His only Son knowing He would have to die on the cross one day.
There is so much to study in these few short chapters but today it was the story with Pilate that got me thinking. It amazes me that Jesus didn’t argue or fight back – probably what all of us would have done. Even when Pilate asked Him Who He was He replied, “You have said so.” That is found in the first three Gospels but in the book of John it is recorded there was a little more conversation going back and forth. Jesus answered Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” I find it quite strange that Pilate replied with a question, “What is the truth?” After he said that there were no more recordings of conversation. I believe it’s because when Pilate asked he knew he was staring at the Truth. What a powerful moment. Rather than defending the Truth, he walked away and washed his hands (before the crowd) and did nothing more.
Life can definitely seem unfair even for Jesus when the world chose Barabbas when clearly Barabbas was the guilty one, a murderer. Instead they shouted all the more that they wanted him rather than wanting a Savior. Sin doesn’t want saving. They want to be comforted in it instead. As I read this my heart became heavy for I feel that this world is still choosing Barabbas today when they can have freedom in Christ.
The Bible shows us that Jesus agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane asking if there was another way to let it pass Him by. We all know that His prayer wasn’t answered in that way.
He still had to climb up the hill of Golgotha carrying the cross of the world.
This happened on Good Friday.
He took all the beatings for you and me till He was unrecognizable.
This happened on Good Friday.
The people who have watched Him do nothing but good has now plucked His beard, beat His body, and spit in His face. There were no reason for any of this but only that “Jesus stirs up the people and also teaching.” We read this and shake our heads at how wrong this is, and yet it’s still Good Friday.
During this time Jesus cried out to His Father, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Most of the time we wonder where God is even in times of our troubles, and then Jesus yielded up His spirit. The hardest trials can turn into the most beautiful things even if we still have to carry our cross, climb up the hill, die to our flesh, and give up our spirit to the Lord. Jesus never gave up till it He finished what He came to do. He did that for our good.
He carried His cross for me to carry mine. – Luke 9:23,
He died for me to die to myself. – Galatians 5:24, Philippians 1:21
He rose for me to rise too. – Micah 7:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17
To me, that is as “good” as it is ever going to get right there!! We serve a risen Savior that died for us and I’m so thankful to know Him. This is why we celebrate Good Friday.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
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