Passion Week: Good Friday - The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:27-36

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”

 

Luke 23:32-37

“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

Today is called by many “Good Friday”, the day we believe that our Savior was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem two-thousand years ago. In today’s chat I will attempt to give a brief account of the events of that day that led up to the cross. Remember it was probably late Thursday evening by the time the Lord finished the Passover Supper with His disciples. According to John 18:1, they left the upper room and went to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed to His Father, “Not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

It was then that Judas appeared with the multitude of the temple guard and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. They bound Jesus (Luke 22:47-53), and the following unfair trials and events took place starting sometime very early Friday morning. This is the best we can discern from all four Gospels:

Christ suffers His first unfair trial as He appears before Annas (John 18:12-14, 19-23).

Christ suffers His second unfair trial as He appears before Caiaphas the High Priest (Matt. 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24).

Christ is denied by Simon Peter (Matt. 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27).

Christ suffers His third unfair trial as He appears before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71).

Christ suffers His fourth unfair trial in His first appearance before Pilate (Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38).

Christ suffers His fifth unfair trial in His appearance before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12; Matt. 14:1-2)

Christ suffers His sixth unfair trial in His final appearance before Pilate (Matt. 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16).

Christ suffers His scourging when He is turned over to the Roman soldiers (Matt. 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:2-3).

Christ carries His cross to Calvary and is assisted by Simon (Matt. 27:31-32; Mark 15:20-21; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:16).

Christ is crucified on the cross at nine o’clock in the morning (Matt. 27:33-50; Mark 15:22-37; Luke 23:32-46; John 19:17-30).

At noon the sun goes totally dark for the next three hours till 3:00PM. Christ is forsaken by His Father as He bears the sins of all humanity. (Matthew 27:45-55).

Christ's death introduces some supernatural events (Matt. 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45, 47-49).

Christ's body is removed from the cross and placed in a tomb by Joseph and Nicodemus (Matt. 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42).

We must never forget the suffering of our Lord Jesus on the cross that day! 1 Peter 2:24: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.”

This would be a good day to read Isaiah 53 and meditate on it!

God bless!