It is Friday of Holy where we find ourselves in the capital of world, or at least at Jesus’ time. Jerusalem was buzzing with people watching the happenings. Some called this Good Friday, but it seems anything but good.
Just five days before coming in to town on a donkey was Jesus, the prince of peace and the king of kings. Yet Jesus was the one who shook up the religious and political leaders. They had already been searching for ways to remove Him.
Here is their chance. The scene was set for what God set up and planned for our abundance, for the salvation of the world. Listen for a few minutes to the final moments of Jesus’ death.
Matthew 27:35-56 NLT
After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!” 41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way. 45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” … 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, … 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” 55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
Can you imagine begin there that day? It looked like the end, but it wasn’t. It looked like all hope was gone, but it wasn’t. It looked like Jesus, the one they followed so close, would be permanently gone, but He wasn’t.
The cross was important because without the death of the perfect sacrifice there would be no forgiveness of sin. This story, the Gospel truth hinges on the ability of sin to be forgiven. The cross and Christ made that possible.
Before this happening there was a trial. There was a time when the people were asked what they wanted, and by the taunting of some leaders they begged for a killer named Barabbas.
At the end of the day Jesus was placed in borrowed tomb, yet Sunday is coming. He won’t be in the gave long.
Join us this Sunday at The Community Fellowship at 10:10am for Easter worship. Or be at your church this weekend. Choose to invite others to join you at church. It is at Easter that often people will accept an invitation to church or even choose to follow Jesus.
Who will you invite this weekend to celebrate easter with you?
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