GOOD Friday, March 29,
2024
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT GOOD
FRIDAY?
Mark 15:15-25
15
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and
delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call
together the whole band.
17
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it
about his head,
18
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing
their knees worshipped him.
20
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his
own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22
And they bring him unto the place
23
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon
them, what every man should take.
25
And it was the third hour,[mid-day] and they crucified him.
Today
is the Friday before Easter. It is referred to as Good Friday and black
is its liturgical color. No bells are sounded in the bell towers and no organ
is played on this day. Fourteen crosses or stations of the cross are set up in
the church which trace Christ’s walk along the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Suffering. Three times Jesus falls to
the ground along this way. According to Catholic tradition, a woman named
Veronica stops to wipe the blood and grime from Jesus’ face. She is nowhere so
named in the Bible. An unnamed or “certain” woman is described in Luke 11:27.
There
is some controversy regarding this day being the
day upon which Jesus was crucified because it is difficult to squeeze three days and also three
nights into the time between Friday afternoon, according to John’s sixth hour,
and dawn on Sunday. Some scholars say that each partial day represents a full day, but it seems to be an attempt to
put a square peg into a round hole. We are left to our own preferences for
either a precise interpretation or a more liberal view.
After
all that has been said, the question remains as to what is good
about Good Friday. Well, if Jesus had not suffered and died there would be no
punishment for sin. He carried the full weight of sin for every man and
then extended salvation by grace through faith. Those who claim to win heaven
by their own moral behavior mock and shame the sacrifice of Jesus by doing so.
Even the wicked Caiaphas understood that Jesus
was to be a sacrifice although he applied his logic to the political
situation.
John 11:49-50
49
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said
unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one
man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Today
is a day to reflect upon the suffering of the Savior. Whether it
be the traditional stations of the cross or simply a review of the biblical
account, let us remember what it cost to redeem us. Let this humble us and make
us grateful. Let this motivate us to deeper devotion. This is what is good
about Good Friday.
Dear
Lord, we would complain with Peter that you should not suffer such a death, but
we would be as wrong as he. Thank you for taking each blow meant for me. AMEN
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