And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains." John 9:39-41
Today is Good Friday. The day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. As
recorded in Matthew 27, that morning He had been bound by the Sanhedrin and
taken to Pilate, the governor, who questioned Jesus as to whether He was the
King of the Jews. Jesus said it was as Pilate said. Further interrogation
amazed Pilate, as Jesus did not answer. In Luke 23, we are told that Jesus was
taken before Herod and questioned. Jesus said nothing. When it came time to
release a prisoner, as was the custom at Passover, Pilate offered to release
Jesus or Barabbas, a well-known criminal, the crowded wanted Barabbas released…and
Jesus, crucified. Jesus was scourged and taken to the Roman Praetorium where
Roman soldiers mocked and beat Him. This was the day that He carried the cross,
or cross-beam from which He would hang, to Golgotha. By three o’clock that
afternoon, at the same time as the daily sacrifice of the lamb was performed,
Jesus in bitter agony gave up His last breathe. He died. An innocent man—no threat
to the Roman Empire—was crucified. A pure and ethical gentleman who
miraculously fed thousands of people and healed unknown numbers—but probably
also thousands of people—was nailed to a cross according to a plan laid
thousands of years ago. He gave His life so that the sin of others could be
forgiven and they could also be pure and blameless to stand before the throne
of God in Heaven. Those who are not blinded, who believe in Jesus as the Christ—the
Messiah—the Son of God, will stand in His presence—seeing Him with their eyes. We are not blind too, are we? Jesus
chose to give His life for you. See
Jesus for who He is—and see Him clearly.
RSVP: Jesus stood silent before Pilate and Herod. He stands silent before you today. His body was given for you and His blood was
shed for your sin. How will you respond to Him today?
Prayer~ Jesus, it was prophesied that You would be oppressed and afflicted,
yet You would not open Your mouth. Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and
like a sheep that is silent before its shearers. Isaiah 53:7 May I know when to
open my mouth to give You the glory. Now I humbly and respectfully will keep
silent—and recognize the suffering You went through for me. The agony You
endured on the cross—that I could be forgiven.
Friday’s Feast at the
King’s Table
Jesus was
offered sour wine when He was thirsty as He hung on the cross. He received the
sour wine, said, “It is finished” and gave up His spirit. It is finished. No
more meals with His disciples gathered around a table, reclining with friends,
family, or Pharisees feasting on the bounty of the land of milk and honey—Israel.
No feast at the King’s Table on Good Friday. The disciples scattered, except
for Joseph of Arimathea who got permission to take Jesus’ body down from the
cross and place it in his own tomb nearby. Nicodemus was there also and brought
a mixture of myrrh and aloes that they wrapped with Jesus’ body in a linen
shroud. Jesus was buried before sunset, as was the Jewish custom. The day was
over. No Passover Feast meal.
© 2014 by Mickey
M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise
noted.
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