Everything in Jesus’ life leads to this moment. Even though Jesus predicted this event over and over, it still surprises us as we read the phrase that all four Gospel writers use, “they crucified him.” The week begins with a triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the King of Glory is ushered in on a donkey with shouts of praise and jubilation. Shockingly, it now ends with the King hanging on a cross, crying out in agony to the sound of mocks and jeers before taking His final breath.
25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. (Mark 15:25–37)
Imagine you are there that day when Jesus dies. Imagine standing in the crowd before the cross with those reviling Jesus. How would you feel? Ashamed? Afraid? Hopeless?
It’s hard to imagine a world without Jesus, but the disciples endured that reality for three days. Those familiar with the Easter story know that Sunday is coming, but Good Friday is a day for pausing and waiting. This day causes us to face the reality and agony of the cross. Jesus is dead. How can this be? Is this the way God intends to save His people? Does He truly display His power through powerlessness and weakness? The answer is a resounding yes.
For Jesus to save us, He has to give Himself up for us—to take our place. At the cross, we see the depth of our sin and the vastness of God’s mercy and grace toward us. Jesus is forsaken; we are accepted. He is cast out so we can be brought in and welcomed. On this day, as we celebrate God’s grace toward us, let us not overlook what it cost and how it should now shape our lives.
Jesus, on the cross, You took what I deserved and died in my place. I should have been condemned, but instead, You were. May I never neglect or undermine the price You paid for my sins. Cause me to live in a radically different way to show the world the glories of Your grace. Amen.
