Good Friday Reflections
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18
Imagine trying to convict the only innocent man to ever walk the dust of this earth! Not ones to let the facts get in the way of their pursuit of political power, the chief priests and elders presented Jesus for crucifixion. Pilate, the governor of Judea under the Roman emperor, Tiberius, pronounced Jesus' innocence more than once (Luke 23:4; 23:14). Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, made the same determination. Even the Sanhedrin, populated by men who were threatened by Jesus, could not corroborate any charge against Jesus despite multitudes of witnesses (Matt. 26:59).
Nevertheless, they were able to stir up the mob and Pilate. Pilate, under political pressure, yielded to their demands. Jesus suffered mercilessly under Roman brutality. Between the lictors who beat Jesus to a pulp and the executioners who nailed him to the cross, Jesus' death could not have been more agonizing. During the hours Jesus hung tortured on the cross, He suffered the scoffing and mockery of the crowds. He prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
Their mockery especially involved Jesus' promise of salvation. How could He be any kind of savior when He couldn't even save Himself? Even the criminals who suffered with Jesus joined in the same derision. Eventually one of them, confronted with Jesus' obvious innocence and the conviction of his own guilt and forthcoming entrance into hell cried out for salvation: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42).
Jesus' response makes this one of my favorite passages in Scripture: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Even while He was dying, Jesus was saving. In fact, without dying Jesus wouldn't have saved anyone. "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin" (Hebrews 9:22). It is through Jesus' death that we remember the price of what it took to bring us to God.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?