A Good Friday Reflection

Today we remember one of the most extraordinary events that took place in the history of the world – the crucifixion of the God-man, Jesus Christ.  It was extraordinary because it was one of the WORST and the same time GREATEST events ever to take place.

It was the WORST event because humanity conspired to murder the most righteous man who ever lived, the very Son of God. 

It was the GREATEST event because of the wonderful things that Jesus accomplished for us in that death.  That is how today got its name “Good Friday” (although historically it was known as Holy Friday or Great Friday).

By his death, Jesus overcame the powers of hell, drove out the prince of darkness, and ransomed, redeemed and delivered people from both the power and penalty of sin.  That means there is hope for this broken world.  And there’s plenty of evidence even in the past few weeks that our world is broken. 

As we remember Jesus’s crucifixion today, let us remember that the cross represented a shameful, four-letter word in Latin, crux.  The word signified a death reserved for political traitors and villains and never for Roman citizens.  Death on the cross said Cicero, was “the most cruel and abominable form of punishment”, and the very word “should be foreign not only to the body of a Roman citizen but to his thoughts, his eyes, his ears.”

It is incredible to think this was all in accordance with God’s plan.  Jesus, as he was dying on that cross was fulfilling prophecy.  A thousand years prior to the event, David wrote Psalm 22 which provides detailed descriptions of what Jesus endured:

• 22:1 His cry from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Matthew 27:46 “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?””

• 22:7 The mocking of the passer-by’s: “Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads”

Matthew 27:39 “Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads”

• 22:8 The railing from the crowd: “He relies on the Lord; let him save him; let the Lord rescue him, since he takes pleasure in him.”

Matthew 27:43 “He trusts in God; let God rescue him now—if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’“

• 22:16 The piercing of his hands and feet: “For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.”

John 20:25 “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.””

• 22:18 The gambling for his clothing: “They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.”

Matthew 27:35 “After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots.”

Alec Motyer, in his devotional commentary, says when we approach Psalm 22, we should do so with careful, hesitant steps for we walk on holy ground.  No other passage reveals the sufferings of our crucified Lord like this Psalm.  It presses to the limit of what Scripture allows, and we do well to read it sparingly and with awe.

He’s right.  Perhaps that is something you might do today.  Take a few minutes, find a quiet space, read slowly and allow Jesus, through David, to describe his suffering to you.  It will humble you.  

Martin Luther, one of the foremost leaders of the Reformation, wrote a very moving meditation on Jesus’ suffering:

The whole value of the meditation of the suffering of Christ lies in this, that man should come to the knowledge of himself and sink and tremble. If you are so hardened that you do not tremble, then you have reason to tremble. Pray to God that he may soften your heart and make fruitful your meditation upon the suffering of Christ, for we ourselves are incapable of proper reflection unless God instil it.
 
We ought to suffer a thousand and again a thousand times more than Christ because he is God and we are dust and ashes, yet it is the reverse. He who had a thousand and again a thousand times less need, has taken upon himself a thousand and again a thousand times more than we.
 
No understanding can fathom nor tongue can express, no writing can record, but only the inward dealing can grasp what is involved in the suffering of Christ.

If you have the time, listen to this rendition of “Were you there?” by the Norton Hall Band. You’ll be moved by it.