Friday, April 15, 2022
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
What is Good Friday? By Donnie O'Fallon
Every year millions of people around the world got to church in observance of Good Friday. Unfortunately, many do not understand the true meaning of Good Friday, and what makes it truly good.
Good Friday is a part of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter, It is always the Friday before Easter Sunday. Christian worldwide, as a way of remembering the crucifixion of Christ. We also call to mind the events that led up to Jesus’ death.
The four gospels provide us with a first-hand account of what happened prior to, during, and after Jesus’ crucifixion.
· On the night before Good Friday, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He led an armed crowd into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus, Where Jesus was praying. When Judas saw Jesus, with the kiss of betrayal so all would know who He was.
· After Jesus was arrested, He was taken to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest, Caiaphas. He interrogated Jesus, but to no avail, so he sent Jesus to stand trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. Witnesses were brought but their testimony was conflicted. Finally, Caiaphas demanded Jesus tell him whether He was the Son of God. Jesus affirmed that He was! Then Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin condemned Him to death for blasphemy.
· Later that morning Jesus was brought before the Roman governor Pilate. He was charged with claiming to be king, opposing taxes and being an enemy of Rome. Pilate found no basis for the charges and sent him to King Herod.
· But after questioning Jesus, Herod came to the same conclusion as Pilate and sent Him back.
· Pilate told the Jewish leaders he nor Herod could find any guilt in Jesus. He decides to have Him whipped and released Him. The chief priests convinced the crowd to ask for Barnabas, an imprisoned murderer. When Pilate asked the crowd, what he should do with Jesus? “Crucify Him” was their reply. This was the same crowd, a week before were crying, “Hosannah.”
· Jesus was brought back before the crowd and at this point the Chief Priest brought new charges, that Jesus Claimed to be the “Son of God.” Pilate became fearful and brought Jesus before himself and the crowd but found no basis for the allegations. Then Pilate washed his hands in a basin filled with water before the priest and the crowd saying, “I want nothing to do with this execution”, then handed Jesus over to the crowd.
· Jesus was then forced to carry His cross up Golgotha’s Hill, where He would be crucified. So badly beaten and weak, He fell under the weight of the cross. A man named Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it the rest of the way to Golgotha where He was nailed to the cross and crucified between two thieves.
For six hours He Jesus hung on the cross. In that time, He was mocked by the chief priest, the crowd, and even the thieves, however one of them realized Jesus was who He said He was. Jesus said, “today you shall be with me in paradise.”
The final three hours, deep darkness fell on the land. Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Then Just before He died, He said, “It is finished!” There was a great earthquake, the curtain of the Temple was torn in half from top to bottom. There was a great resurrection of saints from the dead in Jerusalem. A Roman centurion who witnessed all the events declared, “Jesus was the Son of God”!
Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, Joseph of Arimathea. He would not need it long! His body was prepared for burial, A stone was rolled in place and sealed. A Roman was place there.
THEN CAME THE MORNING, of the third day, “Resurrection Sunday!” Death, Hell and the Grave had a been defeated! The death and Resurrection are central to Christianity. The profound meaning of Easter, Good Friday, and Palm Sunday, you can then know that all the bad news become the Good News. We’re Sinners Saved By His Grace and Love!
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Join us at North Side Baptist Church tonight at 6:00 for our Good Friday Lord’s Supper service.
We also will have four Easter services:
Saturday @ 4:00 & 6:00 pm
Sunday @ 9:00 and 11:00 am.
