Now according to Scripture, on Friday Judas Iscariot was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early in the morning.
Meanwhile, before the third hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment. After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment.
Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus was made to carry His own cross to Calvary. Put out, perhaps, with the speed or events along the way, along the way Simon of Cyrene was 'compelled' to carry the cross for Jesus. Then, arriving at Golgotha Christ was once again mocked and insulted, as Roman soldiers nailed him to the cross.
Jesus spoke seven statements from the cross. His first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV). His last were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV) Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died.
By 6 p.m. Friday evening Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb. All of the Friday events are recorded for us in: Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, & John 18:28-19:37. And though they are horrific to read, and reminders to us of God's great sacrifice and love, we must never forget they tell us but part of our story - a story as fresh today as ever it was. For... as we know, though it is Friday... Sunday's coming!
He is Risen, indeed!
Pastor Sam
