Good Friday

[Joe B]

Why It Was a 'Good' Friday

April 10, 2009

"And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council." (Luke 22:66)

The origin of "Good Friday" ceremonies are somewhat muddled in history. Some suggest that the earlier roots go back as far as 100 A.D., but others insist that it was well into the fourth century before anything like the "passion week" observances became established.

Beyond that, there is a good bit of controversy about the title itself. Everyone now agrees that the focus of the dedication is on the crucifixion of our Lord. So why "Good" Friday? Why not "Sad" Friday, or "Awful" Friday? Although historians and theologians tend to focus on the etymology of the term and debate the circumstances by which the ceremony became identified, the truth may well lie in the sovereignty of God Himself.

On that day in history, the sins of the world were paid for! This was the day that "it pleased the Lord to . . . make his soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10). That day, "the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

Yes, there was great sorrow and travail that day. During the awful physical darkness from noon to 3:00 p.m. (Matthew 27:45), Jesus had cried out in utter anguish: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). The earth itself shook and rumbled as the creation was torn asunder in reaction to the horrific judgment of the Creator for sin (Matthew 27:51).

But then came the victory cry, "It is finished" (John 19:30), and, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46). His suffering ended, the payment completed, eternal propitiation accomplished, Jesus laid down His human life to await the great resurrection that God might give "assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). HMM III

Print this article | More Days of Praise articles

[Donna G]

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty,

but not just any death penalty. Back in His day, dying on the cross was the

worst death possible. Only the worst criminals could die in the

horrible fashion that Jesus did.

But with Jesus things were worse, if you can imagine that,

because not all the criminals condemned to death would receive nails in

their hands and feet! These were real nails, nails as big as spikes! Each

was 15 x 20 cm long, with a point of 6 cm. The points were very sharp so

that they would penetrate both through Jesus' flesh and into the wood

of the cross.

The nails were hammered into the wrists, and not into the

palms, as we are used to hearing. In the wrist, there's a tendon which

extends to the shoulder, and when the nails were being hammered, that

tendon tore, which caused Jesus to flex all of the muscles of his back, so

that he could breathe as He was losing all the air from his lungs. In

this way, He was forced to support Himself onto the nail that had been

driven through both of his feet. This nail was even larger than the ones used in

his wrists, for both feet were nailed together into the cross.

And, as his feet could not endure for a long time without

tearing further, Jesus was forced to alternate that 'cycle' so that

He could breathe. Jesus endured that reality for over 3 hours. Yes, over 3 hours!

One minute in this position would seem like a lifetime, for most people but

three hours? An eternity, no less!

A few minutes before He died, Jesus was not bleeding

anymore. He was simply pouring water from his many cuts, serious wounds and punctures.. When we imagine Him injured, we only visualize the end results of the injuries themselves, but it's not enough; His wounds were true holes, made into and through his body. In addition he had been beaten relentlessly with horrible torture devices. He had no more blood to bleed, He only poured out water.

The human body is comprised of nearly 3.5 liters of blood

(for an adult). Jesus poured out all 3.5 liters of his blood; He had three

nails hammered into his members; a crown of thorns driven into his head

and, if that wasn't already enough, a Roman soldier had shoved a spear into his side, creating a horrible gash.

All this without mentioning the complete humiliation He suffered while carrying his own heavy cross for almost 2 km, while the

crowd spat on his face, mocked him, and threw stones at him. Jesus had to pass through this entire experience, so that you

can have free access to God. So that your sins could be

'washed' away. All of them, with no exception!

Don't ignore this situation. HE DIED FOR YOU!. For you, he

experienced this to save you. Now, reflect on this! May God bless your life!

Donna G

[Nick C]

Thank you both.