Good Friday - Jesus Dies
Goes along with Kids Devotion of the same title.
Jesus’s final words on the cross were a victory cry.
Read John 18:1-19:42.
Bible Focus: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” -John 19:30
The lectionary reading for Good Friday is 82 verses long. Here are the highlights:
Jesus is betrayed by his friend Judas.
Jesus is arrested.
Peter denies even knowing Jesus.
Jesus is questioned by the high priests.
Jesus is beaten and mocked by Roman soldiers.
The crowds call out, “Crucify him!”
Jesus is crucified next to criminals.
Jesus dies.
Jesus’s side is pierced by a soldier’s spear.
Jesus’s body is buried.
And yet, today is called “Good” Friday. Can you imagine a worse Friday? It should be called Terrible Friday, Disastrous Friday, All-Hope-Is-Lost Friday. The innocent Son of God was brutally, painfully killed. He was dead. His lifeless body was placed in a tomb.
In the song “The Power of the Cross,” there’s an interesting lyric: “‘Finished!’ the victory cry.”
Victory? Jesus died, and yet his last words were a victory cry?
Of course they were - Jesus planned his death, down to the last bloody detail, because he knew what was necessary to save us from our sins. Nothing but the death Jesus died could have done it. He knew exactly what he was doing, and it was all because of his love for us.
Here are some more appropriate alternative names for Good Friday:
Friendship Friday. Jesus was betrayed by his disciples. That didn’t change the fact that Jesus died for them as much as anyone else. In the same way, though we have betrayed Jesus by our own sins, he still considers us friends and forgives us.
Powerful Friday. Pilate, the high priests, and the soldiers thought they had the power, but really, it was all in Jesus’s hands. He could have easily stopped all of his suffering. He chose to give it up so that we could be saved.
Just-Wait Friday. Although the disciples didn’t know it, Jesus’s death was not the end. Three short days later, Jesus would rise again from the dead!
Your Good Friday challenge:
Choose your own descriptive word for “Good” Friday.
Please pray:
Dear Jesus, I praise you for your victory on Good Friday. I confess you were on the cross because of my sins. Thank you for choosing to die to save me. I ask that you continue to forgive and help me. In your name I pray, Amen.
