Good Friday: The Severity of Christ’s Sacrifice

Easter is such an easy day to celebrate, remembering the astounding and supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ, spending time at the church and with family, egg hunts and more. 

However, Good Friday is vastly different, with many adorned in black, all mourning the death of a Man that lived thousands of years before them – yet moved and in tears by His death. 

Why?

When Jesus Christ roamed on earth, He was sent by God to live a life we could never even be capable of living. 

Jesus was sinless, holy, kind, loving, graceful, and so much more. 

During His ministry, He performed miracles like no other. 

• He healed the sick (Matthew 4:23-35)

• He resurrected the dead (John 11:38-44)

• He fed thousands (Mark 6:31-44)

• He controlled nature (Matthew 14:22-33)

• He drove out spirits and demons (Luke 4:41)

Yet, despite these miracles and works, despite His teachings, despite His character, we still hung Him on the cross. 

But His death wasn’t the end. 

God had a plan this whole time. He is all-knowing and is sovereign over everything. 

From the very beginning He knew that He would send His only son so that He may pay the debt for our sins and give us eternal life.

When Jesus was betrayed and arrested after the last supper, He went to face an unjust trial and even more so, an unjust death. 

The perfect and spotless Bridegroom was sent to suffer in an unimaginable way. 

Many know that He was crucified but many don't know the intimate details of what happened right before that…

In John 19, after He was considered guilty, His suffering began. 

In a matter of moments, He was whipped and the crown of thorns was pressed onto His head. 

Following that, they began to strike Jesus with their own hands and the Jews begged for Him to be crucified despite Him being found blameless. 

They then struck Him with a reed (Matthew 27:30) on His head and stripped him of His robe. 

After that, it just continued on. 

He was beaten and whipped. He was pierced and wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5). 

He suffered painfully. 

After He was beaten, He was sent to carry His own cross. These crosses were not light either; they were hundreds of pounds. 

After taking up His cross, they hung Him on the cross with nails driving through His hands and feet, forcing Him to try and hold Himself up to prevent Him facing more excruciating pain. 

As He hung on the cross, darkness came over the land (Luke 23: 44) and He called out to the Father. 

The Father turned His head away from Jesus and didn’t save Him from the cross, because He knew Jesus would ultimately save us. 

After facing unbearable agony for hours on end, Jesus Christ gave over His spirit and died a horrible death on the cross (Matthew 27:50). 

Not one person on this planet is capable of suffering in the way Jesus did. 

Not only was the physicality of His torment unimaginable, but the sting of having His Father turn His cheek from Him for the sake of mankind was even greater. 

That is what Good Friday is about. 

It wasn’t about how “good” this day was for Him, it is what He did that was good for us. 

Imagine a Man loving you so much that He would put His life on the line just to see you one day in eternal life. 

Imagine Someone looking at you knowing that you aren’t physically capable of living a sinless life and He did so for you. 

He defeated every temptation, He showed love and grace to the undeserving, and most importantly He took up suffering for foolish humans like you and myself. 

That is who Jesus Christ is. That is His character.

So, when you walk into service this evening or prepare for Easter weekend – remember Him. 

Remember Jesus and what He went through so that you standing here today can have a relationship with Him. 

Know that what He took on is what allows you to have eternal life. 

Know that He is King (John 18:36-37).