04/03/2026
Good Friday
Continuing our walk through Holy Week:
Good Friday:
Good Friday is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death.
According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday 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 known at the time.
Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.
Jesus spoke seven final 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 words 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 breath 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.
Friday's events are recorded in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37.
Weโve received many questions on one of Jesusโ statements when he was being crucified, and we hope we can provide a clear answer.
The question is: Why did Jesus cry out, โMy God My God! Why have You forsaken Me!โ Was Jesus losing faith or doubting?
The answer: Jesus was NOT losing faith, He was NOT doubting! He was fulfilling scripture! In Psalm 22 written by David, the beginning of the chapter reads... โMy God, My God! Why have You forsaken me!โ The chapter goes on to describe our Lord Jesus death on the cross. This is why it is absolutely imperative that we read our Bible and KNOW it!
Please take today to stay quiet, to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ! The love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! ๐๐ปโค๏ธ๐๐ป