Good Friday

Friday, March 29, 2013 | Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 | Psalm 28 | Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

John 18:1 - 19:37

UNIMAGINABLE, FREELY CHOSEN PAIN

“Then He bowed His head, and delivered up His spirit.” - John 19:30

Although most people think of Jesus hanging on the cross for three hours, He actually hung on the cross for about six hours (see Mark 15:25, 33). He suffered much more than we realize or could even imagine. Jesus could well quote from Lamentations: “Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like My suffering: (Lamentations 1:12). As Isaiah prophesied, Jesus was beaten so badly that His appearance was marred “beyond that of mortals” (Isaiah 52:14). Pontius Pilate had Jesus violently scourged in order to shock the crowd into stopping their demands for His crucifixion (see John 19:4-5). It did not work; the crowd wanted Jesus to shed even more of His blood (see Matthew 27:25). So the lacerated and bruised Savior was brutalized to an even greater degree as He carried the cross, was crucified, and died. Jesus’ condition at the end was such that very few could stand to see Him up close (see Isaiah 53:3). No one will ever know more than a small part of what Jesus suffered.

Jesus did not have to suffer these worst of all sufferings (see John 10:18). He knew what would happen to Him, and He had the power to prevent it at any time (see Matthew 26:53). Jesus was not a victim of circumstances; He was Victim of love. Jesus freely decided to suffer unimaginable pain out of love for you!

Prayer: Jesus, You gave Your life for me; I give my life to You - completely and forever.