To everyone, I wish you a Good Friday of remembrance. I hope that I can truly embrace Good Friday for what the day truly means. The day that the Son of God was punished for the sins of mankind. The day that hope was given to those who believe in their heart in Christ. The day that Adam’s sin was finally given absolution. The day that the wrath of God was laid out on His Son so that those who believe can live eternally with Him.
Little did the Jews and Romans know that Jesus would be resurrected to live on the third day after his crucifixion. That’s the good news!
I have been thinking about the crucifixion and how it may have felt. To hang from a cross, nails driven through his wrists and feet. (Modern archaeologists actually believe the nail would have been driven through the top of the foot through the heel.) Bleeding from wounds to the head, the salt from the sweat burning through his scalp. Sweat running down his back, mingling with his blood and causing intense fiery pain. His shoulders stretched apart, unable to support his weight and slowly slipping until they would dislocate.
And for hours, God is silent to Jesus. For these hours the angels must have been circling around Christ, unable to help him, crying and weeping. Other angels yelling and baring their swords, unable to go to the Son of God and free him. God had unleashed his wrath on mankind through His Son and turned from Him. Totally abandoned, truly alone, and tormented by people who had welcomed him to Jerusalem only days before. He watched as the soldiers around him “cast lots” (gambled) for his clothing. He was alone, beaten, bloodied and humiliated.
Most of us, myself included, would have been angry and found it easy to hate. Instead, Jesus said:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:34)
