Good Friday,
April 15, 2022
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, 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 to be found in the Bible.
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 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 strict interpretation or a more tolerant
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 this 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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