Good Friday comes and goes in pale shades of terror and grief. Hammers, nails, thorns, and swords carry out their sinister work as implements of death while hiding in the shadows. Tones of disappointment violently strike the canvas, exploding dreams of a bright future. Abandoned hope allows a gloomy palette of suffering, pain, and loss to cover the horizon with despair. The sun disappears as dusk covers the face of the earth at midday. All seems lost.
Betrayal, injustice, violence, and circumstances join forces. Their collusion or random intersection may dislodge our security and stability, leaving us adrift in a perplexing and volatile stew of emotions. Disappointment clouds our personal atmosphere as certainly as the darkness hid the light of day on that terrible afternoon of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Disappointment leads to discouragement. Discouragement leads to depression. Depression leads to despair. Despair leads to disillusionment. Disillusionment leads to disengagement. Disengagement leads to apathy, indifference, or hostility. These prevailing thoughts and emotions invite the broad brush of hopelessness to black out every window of our souls that might allow us to grasp a glimmer of the light of possibility.
After the terror and grief of Good Friday comes the dark solitary night of suffering souls. We search for answers, obscured by the dark blanket of gloom covering our imaginations. Our minds wrestle with a thousand thoughts and questions. “Why? Why me? What if? If only. . . .”
If. A word equally at home as a bridge toward faith or doubt. “If you eat the fruit of the tree,” said the father of all lies. “If you will only believe, all things are possible to those who believe,” said the Son of God. The choice of who we believe is up to us.
If left to our own devices, we may attempt to resolve the tension with a bottle or pill. Or we could allow shame and blame to condemn us to a futile and dark prison, held captive by bars of self-loathing or retribution. When survival becomes your goal, any means toward that end might appear to be a solution. Even if that solution only exacerbates the problem.
In stark contrast, Easter colors our world with hope. If we listen to Jesus, and believe in him, we will experience the hope to conquer disappointment. Hope of life after death. Hope of the resurrection. Hope of success. Hope to end despair. Hope to overcome every circumstance. Hope to invite light and dispel the dark night of the soul.
Hope changes the picture. It changes from black and white to technicolor. Black and white conveys an either/or mindset. Technicolor opens us up to a world of vibrant possibilities. Jesus does that to our hearts, our heads, and our hands. His resurrection made possible our resurrection. His promise of abundant life creates a stunning array of doors to be knocked upon, even while recognizing that our present circumstances may not be ideal.
In the end, faith, hope, and love prevail. Jesus conquers death and the grave. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He said, “I have come so you might have life, and that more abundantly.” This is reality. This is within our reach, but not while on our own, locked in our own prisons of despair. We need the forgiveness and future Jesus offers. Faith unlocks the door. Because Easter colors our world with hope.
An old song asks the question, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord? ”
Of course none of us were there literally, but through the centuries, great artists have produced their interpretations of those tragic events recorded in Scripture. This Good Friday, visualize a bit of the pathos involved in that day when they crucified Our Lord – as you read the words of Scripture:
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.
They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He
filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to
drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save
him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in
two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke
open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They
came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and
appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The significant words Jesus spoke from the cross deserve our attention
Fir-Conway Lutheran Church Conway, Washington
Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
When they came to the place called the
Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the
other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father,
forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast
lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by,
looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others;
let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The
soldiers also mocked Him … (Luke 23:33–36a)
This was a word of mercy. You’ve heard it before: “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” While
high up on a mountain, Moses received The Law (Ten Commandments), engraved on
stone tablets by the finger of God, straight from the hand of God. He returned
to God’s people below, who were in the process of breaking every one of them.
In anger, Moses broke the stone tablets and human beings have been breaking the
Ten Commandments ever since. Intentionally or unintentionally, fully aware or
ignorant, through sins of commission or sins of omission, we have all sinned. We
are all guilty. We need mercy.
Jesus bore the weight of our sins on
the cross. Yet, He did not protest, and He did not blame or seek revenge on those
who were part of the conspiracy to kill Him by treating Him despicably.
Instead, the King of Kings offered mercy from the cross. He offered
intercession from the cross. He made an appeal for us all from the cross. Truth
and justice met mercy and forged a case for us from the cross. The sinless Son
of God purchased our acquittal through His blood from the cross.
There, the One Mediator between God
and men, our High Priest, offered a merciful appeal to the Great Judge of the
Universe: “Father, forgive them.”
The Gospel proclaims good news. The
first words Jesus spoke from the cross offered that good news. Very good news,
indeed, to those of us who have spent our lives amidst the shame and blame that
results from chipping away at those immovable stone tablets through our
thoughts, words, and deeds.
Mercy. What a beautiful word! The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 ESV)
2. Today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
One of the criminals who were hanged
there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself
and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear
God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are
suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this
man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You
come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I
say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39–43)
This was a word of assurance.The first word Jesus spoke from the cross offered
mercy leading to hope for the possibility of forgiveness. This second word
offered assurance, a confident promise from Jesus, punctuated by the declaration,
“Truly I say to you. . ..”
Hung between two thieves, the sinless Savior
listened to their banter. A skeptical scoffer and a sincere sympathizer offered
their commentary on their shared predicament. All three convicted criminals faced
their executioners with an unambiguous certainty that this day would be their last.
Most of us do not know the day of our death as these three did. Yet if you could
listen in on the conversations of the seven billion people on planet earth, you
would discover elements of their conversations taking place today. People judge
their fellow human beings using their own measuring stick. And everyone wonders
about their own fate. Which day will be my last day? What happens then?
Jesus heard their conversation, and responded
to two words spoken by the sympathizer, “Remember me.” Having confessed his own
guilt and the guilt of his cohort on the opposite side of the Savior, he did not
state his own merit or defense. He simply asked, “Remember me when you come into
Your Kingdom.” In so doing, he was both asking for mercy and declaring his alliance
with the Son of God and His kingdom.
Jesus listens to a dying person’s prayer from the heart, even if it is only two words, “Remember me.” He listens to sincere people, even those who are not knocking on death’s door. He responds, not in a condemning way, not in a condescending way, not in a complicated way. Jesus responded in an assuring way, so simple that even a child could understand: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
3. Woman, behold, your son! … Behold your mother! (John 19:26, 27)
But standing by the cross of Jesus
were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved
standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman,
behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her
into his own household. (John 19:25–27)
This was a word of compassionate care.As the eldest son, with at least six other junior
siblings (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3), Jesus was responsible for the care of
his mother. We assume Joseph was deceased by now, so from the cross Jesus made provision
for the care and safekeeping of His mother. John, the beloved disciple, took Mary
into his own home from that moment. Later, at least two of Jesus’ brothers (Jude
and James) would become believers. Herod would kill John’s brother James for his
faith in Christ. No one but Jesus knew these
things at the time.
So to perform the duty of a responsible son, Jesus made provision for Mary. From the cross, Jesus reminded us that God cares about our welfare. He is concerned about our families. He is concerned about caring for our needs. That caring concern prompted Peter to later write, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
4. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46)
Now from the sixth hour darkness fell
upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out
with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
(Matthew 27:46–47)
This was a word of suffering.We live in a complex world with perplexing questions.
Jesus’ fourth word from the cross cuts across the generations of suffering humanity
as life’s most ubiquitous question, “Why?”
When tragedy strikes, we want answers.
We demand answers. We want to know, who, what, where, when and how—all the complex
and perplexing details of the tragic circumstances. But even then, once all of those
compelling questions are answered, we are left with life’s most perplexing question,
“Why?”
Why the divorce, the death, the disease,
the danger, the demons, the delusion, the depression, the disaster? And in the end,
“Why me?” It may be a cliché, but how we respond determines whether our circumstances
and unanswered questions leave us better or bitter. Bitterness leaves us without
hope, without a God who cares. Faith leaves us better, with a caring God who understands
our suffering and promises to never abandon us.
During the third hour of darkness as black as midnight at midday, Jesus, in His humanity, cried out for an answer. His question rings across the ages to validate our feelings of abandonment during life’s discouraging episodes. For if Jesus felt abandoned on the cross, He understands our own feelings of abandonment. He understands the times we question the ways of God. He listens without judgment. And in the ensuing darkness and silence He showed us that if we could endure the horror of Friday’s cross, there awaits a glorious resurrection on the dawn of Easter morning.
5. I am thirsty. (John 19:28)
Jesus, knowing that all things had
already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was
standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of
hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. (John 19:28–29)
This was a word of obedience. Jesus knew that everything needed for Him to fulfill His role as a suffering Messiah had been accomplished. Yet there was one more thing. One more step. One more word that would show His complete humanity, and His complete obedience to the will of the Father.
Jesus was thirsty. He also knew that His request would never be granted in a way that would satisfy his human thirst, accepted the bitter cup offered. In so doing, He experienced the disappointment we feel as we seek after the things of life to satisfy the inner thirst of our souls. Only Jesus can satisfy your thirsty soul. Only obedience to Jesus can keep our cup full.
6. It is finished! (John 19:30)
Therefore when Jesus had received the
sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And
He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)
This was a word of finality.We sometimes like to have the last word. But God
always has the last word. We do well to listen. We are not finished until God
says we are finished.
The first recorded words of Jesus in the
Bible came from his twelve-year-old tongue. He spoke them in response to His earthly
parents’ inquiries after searching desperately for their lost son. Interestingly
enough, it involved another “Why?” question:
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know
that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 12:49 NKJV)
In the ensuing twenty-one years or so, Jesus accomplished His mission, His Father’s business. The Father’s business is the most important business in the world. Once we understand that, we find meaning in life because we can measure it in light of eternity. We discover our own destiny, and accept difficulties along the way because we understand, we accept, and we embrace the concept that we have given God permission to have the final word in our lives.
7. Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. (Luke 23:46)
It was now about the sixth hour, and
darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was
obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out
with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I
commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the
centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this
man was innocent.” (Luke 23:44–47)
This was a word of surrender. Surrender to God’s will defined the life of Christ.
He left the splendor of heaven to endure this world of sin so that we could leave
this world of sin and enjoy the splendor of heaven. If we have committed our life
and our ways to the Lord, then we have assurance.
We have assurance of God’s mercy and forgiveness. We have assurance
of eternal life; that we will be with Him in paradise. We have assurance of God’s
care and concern. We have assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us, no
matter how alone we may feel. We have assurance that even a bitter cup will be made
sweet as we trust and obey. We have assurance of our divine destiny. And we have
assurance that in the end, God will have the final word as we surrender all to Him.
