Weekly Devotional: Good Friday
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.
(Matthew 27:27-31)
This weekend is a time to remember the three days that are at the center of all human existence.
On this day we remember, we reflect, we stand in awe of the unfailing love of our Lord.
On this day, Jesus was mocked. Jesus was beaten. Jesus was persecuted.
On this day, the same man who came to Earth in humility was humiliated on the cross.
On this day, Jesus was hung on a cross, nails punched through his hands, struggling for every breath.
And on this day, the veil was torn. The ground shook. Rocks split. Tombs opened. The Messiah was crucified.
We know that on the third day, Jesus defeated death, overcame the sin of the world and became the perfect sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, He fulfilled prophecy and bridged the gap between humanity and God.