Monday, April 7, 2025
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Mark 15:33-34 (CSB)
What A Difference A Day Makes
The Friday that Jesus was crucified seems like the darkest day in history – the day our Savior was tortured and beaten, exhausted. He was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, and arrested by the authorities (perhaps after midnight, early Friday morning). He was put on trial and some of the same people that shouted, “Hosanna!”on Palm Sunday now shouted, “Crucify him!” After being beaten and tortured, he had to carry his cross all the way to the hill where he was crucified. Then He was crucified and had to hang there for hours before he finally died, all the while being taunted and ridiculed.
Even though he could have, Jesus did not change his mind in the midst of his suffering. He took on the sins of the whole world and in that moment, God had to turn his face away because of the sin. Jesus not only took on our sins, but he also took on the wrath of God for those sins, causing him to feel the separation of God. He knew that God would have to turn away from him when he took our sins, and he was willing to take our sins, the wrath for our sins, and the suffering that came with it so that we could be forgiven and redeemed. He fulfilled the scriptures so that so we could have forgiveness and eternal life. He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 The goodness of Jesus's love and sacrifice at Calvary is immense, permanent and priceless. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all fulfilled in Him.
The Earth Trembled And The Veil Was Torn
In the temple a veil, a very thick, woven curtain, separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. When Jesus died that heavy curtain was torn from top to bottom. It was not ripped from bottom to top, as though a man were ripping it. Instead, it was ripped from top to bottom, because God was ripping it. God was saying, “You no longer are on the outside. You can come in. My Son has made a way for you.”
Also at this moment, the whole earth shook. When a Roman officer there saw this, and the other events, he said, ‘Surely, this man was the Son of God.’ - The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:38-39
How do the events of the Friday of Holy Week change our perception of the world and our eternity?
The events of Friday of Holy Week marks God's ultimate act of love and forgiveness, giving the promise of redemption and new life through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Because Jesus died on the cross and took the payment for our sins, we have been forgiven, justified, and redeemed. We have forgiveness of our sins, a debt we could never pay without Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We can see the darkness in the world but as his followers we can bring light to a dark world while we are here. As a redeemed child of God, we know this earthly home is only temporary. We will spend eternity with God’s kingdom in heaven.
These promises help us through whatever suffering we might have to endure here on earth. Our hope is not in anything on this earth – not possessions, people, family, or careers. Our hope is in Jesus and the gift of salvation and eternal life he gives. Friday of Holy Week changed everything for the whole world. Remember what he did for you and your family on the cross. Remember that no matter what is in your past, his forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are for you like they are for everyone – you only have to accept it.
God Himself entered this chaotic world so He could mend the brokenness for all mankind – permanently. He gave His son to death. He allowed His son to be sacrificed in our place, to take the punishment of our sinfulness. This changes our perspective of the world and our eternity. We are here to make disciples of others while we wait for our permanent, eternal home in heaven with him. Once we have the gift of eternal life, we never lose it. Our promised place in eternity with him is forever saved.
