Good Friday Meditation
Good
Friday 2020
Luke
23:38-46
38 There was also an
inscription over him, “This is the
King of the Jews.”
39 One
of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the
Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But
the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the
same sentence of condemnation? 41 And
we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this
man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And
he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him,
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44 It
was now about the sixth hour and there was darkness over the whole land until
the ninth hour, 45 while
the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling
out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And
having said this he breathed his last.[1]
Devotion
Death is on everyone’s mind right
now. With the virus spreading across this world. Thousands are dying every day
and there is know clear end in sight. People are scared and staying in their homes
for fear of contracting this disease. Businesses are closed and even churches
are meeting by computer instead of in person.
Today, Good Friday, we remember one
death from the distant past. A death not caused by disease or tragic accident.
Jesus of Nazareth was hung on a cross to die. Accompanied by two criminals and
scant crowd of soldiers, and the women who had followed this teacher. Now mourning
his loss these women are inconsolable. This man was given the mocking title of “King
of the Jews” over his head. A warning to others that to challenge the power of
Rome was to court certain death.
This man, Jesus, was once a teacher
full of promise. Interpreting the laws of the Bible in new ways. He went about
in power healing all who were sick and even raising the dead. There seemed to
be no limit to what he could accomplish. But the religious leaders became
jealous and plotted how they might get rid of this rising star on the Jewish scene.
They were afraid that this Jesus might attract so many followers that Rome
would end the tenuous peace they had established with those in imperial power
and have their religion banned. The leaders were afraid of losing their livelihood
and quite possibly their lives. It was better for them that one man die then
the nation and religion perish.
So, the religious leaders plotted to
have Jesus executed in the most cruel way imaginable. They
hung him high upon a cross after they had beaten him to within an inch of his
life. This man who the people hoped would free them from Roman occupation hung
dying hopeless on a cross. Could any good come from this man’s death on the
cross. Would the “King of the Jews” accomplish his mission.
Only time would tell. For now let us
meditate on the body hanging, dying on the cross and what that means for us.
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