Laid On Him
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
This is the darkest of days. It is God’s Friday – Good Friday. There is not much good about it, or so it would seem. Certainly there was little goodness to be found in the events of this terrible day. If we can find good in Good Friday, then it is in the consequences of the day, for on that day the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
A trial was held overnight, illegally. False witnesses were brought.[1]It was alleged that Jesus had said that He could rebuild the temple in three days. Everyone knew this to be humanly speaking impossible, but few suspected that Jesus was referring to the temple of His body. The High Priest soon got to the point. “Tell us,” he asked, “if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” they already knew the answer, and the charge was prepared. “Blasphemy” they bellowed on hearing Jesus’ answer, not stopping to wonder whether what He said was true.[2] In that moment the sentence was sealed.
The disciples were thrown into disarray. Peter stayed close but, in order to protect himself, when he was challenged he denied knowing Jesus of Nazareth. Judas realized, too late, what he had done and, in his remorse, took his own life. Pilate interfered, not understanding why this harmless preacher should be thought worthy of crucifixion, but he soon bowed before the pressure of the crowd. An escape route was offered, and then swiftly closed as the crowd shouted for a notorious felon, Barabbas, and thus condemned Jesus to death.[3] Were there those, in their midst, crying, “Crucify Him!” who just days before had laid palm leaves in tribute at His feet?
The soldiers took Jesus and placed a scarlet robe upon Him, and twisted a crown of thorns and placed it upon His head.[4] They spat upon Him and struck Him, then stripped the robe from Him and led Him away to die. A stranger carried His cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull; nails tore His flesh; they crucified Him. A sign above His head mocked Him: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.”[5] One of the thieves, crucified beside Him, also taunted Him, but another defended Him. One man, watching, offered Him wine vinegar soaked in a sponge. Others simply watched. It did not take long. Jesus cried aloud. He quoted Scripture. Then, He cried again, gave up His spirit, and it was done.[6]
Words fail me, Lord.
I cannot look upon Your cross and do anything but weep –
for the cruelty that put You there,
for the love that kept You there.
I shall weep for You in silence,
until the morning comes.
Amen.
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