Good Friday is the most solemn and profound day of the entire Christian year, a day filled with deep reverence and quiet reflection. It’s when we solemnly remember the Passion (which means the suffering) and the Death of Jesus Christ on the cross. More than just a sad story, it’s the ultimate, incredible act of God's infinite love for all humanity.
This holy day takes us through the agonizing and heartbreaking events that led up to Jesus' crucifixion. Imagine the unfairness: Jesus, who had never committed a single sin, faced an unjust trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. He was falsely accused, condemned, and sentenced to die. Before even reaching the cross, He endured brutal suffering, including a terrifying scourging (a severe whipping that tore His flesh) and the painful, humiliating crowning with thorns, where sharp, thorny branches were pressed down onto His head. Each of these moments was a physical and spiritual agony, willingly endured by Jesus not because He deserved it, but purely for our salvation – to rescue us from the power of sin and its consequences.
The crucifixion itself was a horrifying method of execution, designed to inflict immense physical pain and profound humiliation. Jesus was nailed to a cross, suffering publicly for hours. Yet, even in His extreme agony, hanging on that cross, Jesus incredibly demonstrated boundless mercy. He didn't curse His tormentors; instead, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And to the repentant thief, one of the criminals crucified beside Him who simply asked to be remembered, Jesus graciously promised, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." This shows the incredible depth of His compassion, extending forgiveness and hope even in His darkest hour.
Finally, with His last breath, Jesus uttered powerful, triumphant words: "It is finished" (John 19:30). This wasn't a cry of defeat, but a mighty declaration that His entire mission, His "redemptive work" – God's grand plan to rescue and save humanity – was perfectly completed. His death was the one, perfect sacrifice needed to liberate us from the bondage of sin and the threat of eternal death. He paid the ultimate price, and because of His sacrifice, we can be brought back into a loving relationship with God.
Good Friday serves as a poignant (deeply moving and heartfelt) reminder that true love is sacrificial. It often involves giving and suffering for the sake of others, just as Jesus gave His life for us. It also teaches us that God's divine justice (that sin must have consequences) and His boundless mercy (His desire to forgive and save us) are perfectly interwoven in the cross. It’s a day to quietly reflect on the immense cost of our salvation and the immeasurable depth of God's love for each one of us.
Mark 15:16-37
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
Scripture Passages:
Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Luke 23:33-34: "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."4
John 19:30: "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
Reflection Questions:
Why is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion called "Good Friday"?
How does Christ’s suffering on the cross reveal the depth of God’s love for humanity?
What does the word salvation mean in the text?
How does meditating on the Passion of Christ deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?
Multiple Choice Questions:
According to the text, why did Jesus face an unjust trial and endure such brutal suffering?
a) Because He had committed many sins.
b) Because He was a political threat to the Roman Empire.
c) Because He willingly endured it to rescue humanity from sin.
d) Because Pontius Pilate wanted to prove his power.
While on the cross, what did Jesus say in an act of boundless mercy toward His tormentors?
a) "Save yourselves!"
b) "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
c) "I am the King of the Jews."
d) "I am thirsty."
What did Jesus' final words, "It is finished," declare?
a) That He was defeated by His enemies.
b) That His entire redemptive mission was perfectly completed.
c) That the Jewish Sabbath had begun.
d) That He was ready to die.
The text describes Good Friday as a reminder that true love is:
a) Effortless and easy.
b) Sacrificial, often involving giving and suffering for others.
c) Always rewarded with power and fame.
d) Only meant to be shared with family and friends.
How does the crucifixion reconcile God's divine justice and His boundless mercy?
a) It shows that God's mercy is more important than His justice.
b) It shows that God's justice is more important than His mercy.
c) It shows how both are perfectly interwoven in the cross.
d) It shows that neither are important anymore.