Friday. Ironically, Good Friday it’s called, the darkest day of the year. Friday, April 3, 33AD was the darkest day in history, “His-Story.” It was on Good Friday that Jesus died in a gruesome, horrible crucifixion, fulfilling prophecy, His destiny. Jesus died just for you. Just for me. My fingers tremble and tears fall as I type these words.
It was merely a few hours before, in the middle of the night, that Jesus was arrested and His trials began. This process was against all the rules, especially during Passover.
“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56b NIV84).
How lonely Jesus must have felt, yet He was in total control. Imagine how Jesus’ mom Mary felt…
It was before 9am on Friday morning when Pontius Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified and the agonizing climb began to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, as He carried His cross.
“Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: ‘JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS…’ (John 19:18-19 NIV 84).
The criminal on one side of Jesus threw insults at Him asking if He were Christ, why didn’t He save Himself and them? The other criminal feared God and rebuked the other criminal, saying Jesus had not done anything wrong. He humbly said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. ‘ “ (Luke 23:42-43 NIV84).
Like the two criminals, one on each side of Jesus, we are given a choice. Perhaps that’s why there were two criminals being crucified beside Him– not one, not five, but two–because of THE choice.
To accept Jesus as our King of King and Lord of Lords or not.
To ask Jesus to remember you in His Kingdom or not.
To hurl insults at Jesus or honor Jesus with humble praises.
Have you humbly asked for Jesus to remember you as His and to join Him in the paradise of eternal life?
“…Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.” –John 30b NIV84
The Greek word “Telelestai” means “It is finished.” During New Testament times the word “Tetelestai” would have been stamped or written on business documents or receipts to indicate that a bill had been “Paid in Full.”
The connection between this common business transaction stamp and the Ultimate Transaction Jesus accomplished on the cross was conveyed crystal clear in the Gospel of John with Jesus’ words.
Jesus paid a sin debt He did not owe because we owed a sin debt we could not pay.
Thank you, Jesus, for your matchless love and sacred sacrifice. You are the Lamb of God. It is finished.
One of my favorite hymns, “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” ends with the following tender, honest revelation. May this question and these words echo in our souls this Easter and each day of our lives.
“Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.”
Reflect:
–Please try to fathom how deep the Father’s Love is for you. How will you show your gratitude to God? Please comment.
–Which crucified criminal beside Jesus do you relate to?
Renew:
–Read Psalm 22 and compare it to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John story of Jesus death and resurrection.
–“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations…They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn–for He has done it.” –Psalm 22: 27, 28, 31 NIV 84.
–“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” –Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV84
–“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect.” –1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV 84
Recharge:
–Friday’s here; Sunday’s coming!!!
Resource:
To view a wonderful rendition of “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” by Selah, please watch this link: –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKDujmtyAVk
Danya Jordan
As you point out Danya, its about choice. One chose death the other Life in Christ. Right to the end that choice must be made