Good Friday—An Attempt to Kill Holy Life
Peruse the following Scriptures:
John 18:1-8 (TPT) Garden of Gethsemane
18 After Jesus finished this prayer; he left with his disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden. 2 Judas, the traitor, knew where this place was, for Jesus had gone there often with his disciples. 3 The Pharisees and the leading priests had given Judas a large detachment of Roman soldiers and temple police to seize Jesus. Judas guided them to the garden, all of them carrying torches and lanterns and armed with swords and spears.
John 18:12-13 (TPT) Arrest
12 Then the soldiers and their captain, along with the Jewish officers, seized Jesus and tied him up. 13 They took him first to Annas, as he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
John 19:10-11(TPT) Trial
10 Pilate said, “Don’t you know that I have the power to grant you your freedom or nail you to a tree?”11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. This is why the one who betrayed me is guilty of an even greater sin.”
John 19:16-18 (TPT) Crucifixion
16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them. So the soldiers seized him and took him away to be crucified. 17 Jesus carried his own cross out of the city to the place called “The Skull,” which in Aramaic is Golgotha. 18 And there they nailed him to the cross. He was crucified, along with two others, one on each side with Jesus in the middle.
John 19:28-30 (TPT) Death
28 Jesus knew that his mission was accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said: “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting nearby, so they soaked a sponge with it and put it on the stalk of hyssop and raised it to his lips. 30 When he had sipped the sour wine, he said, “It is finished, my bride!” Then he bowed his head and surrendered his spirit to God.
Ponder: The Lord of all Creation was crucified at the place called the Skull—a skull-shaped hill in ancient Jerusalem. He was nailed to the cross—by his hands and feet—and above him at the top of the cross was a placard stating his crime: King of the Jews. Jesus surrendered his Spirit, so humanity could choose to gain his Spirit—It is Finished! When Jesus said, “It is finished” it was another way of saying, “Paid in full.” We can enter into eternal life and fellowship with God.
Humanity no longer has to walk in darkness; the Light of the World has brought believers salvation and the wisdom of God. We can now live as children of the Light; all empowered by grace. The Good News of Great JOY—abundant LIFE—awaits believers each day.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrificial way you have loved me—paying my sin debt. Guide me by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.