Good Friday
Open Your Bible
Mark 15:1-47, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-7
BY Jen Yokel
Lent and Holy Week end with an invitation to contemplate history’s darkest day. We know how the story ends, but let’s not rush past this. Let’s make space to remember.
Mark’s account of Jesus’s final hours is relentlessly brutal. As Jesus waits before Pilate’s questioning “like a lamb led to the slaughter,” He offers no defense for himself (Isaiah 53:7). He stands in vulnerability, letting humanity throw its worst at Him.
Even as Pilate finds no fault and offers to spare His life according to Passover custom, the mob demands His death even louder. The chief priests fling accusations and stir up the crowd against Him (Mark 15:11–14). He is mocked by the empire’s soldiers, the passersby, and “even those who were crucified with him” (vv.16–32). His broken, tortured body becomes a spectacle for a jeering crowd that still watches for a miracle that never comes. Even the charge written against Him on the cross—“The King of the Jews”—reads like an insulting joke.
This is no ordinary execution, and it’s certainly not the hero’s death of epic fables. Humiliation upon humiliation, pain upon pain (v.34).
Yet even in this darkest hour, He was not alone.
Women who loved Him, followed Him, and supported His ministry watched from a distance. If He did come down from the cross, they would be the first ones by His side. If not, they would care for Him still in death.
A Roman centurion was watching. When he saw how Jesus faced death, the moment when He “let out a loud cry and breathed his last,” (v.37) something moved this soldier to acknowledge the truth—this is no ordinary man, but truly the Son of God (vv.37–39).
Joseph of Arimathea, an esteemed member of the Sanhedrin, was there too at the end. He boldly asked for Jesus’s body so He could be laid to rest with some dignity before the Sabbath arrives. He likely had no idea he was part of setting the stage for the greatest miracle of all (v.43).
Sunday, we will celebrate. We will say “He is risen” with joy-filled hearts. We know this darkness will pass away, a pause before the final victory.
But for now, let us wait. Let us linger on the threshold a little while. Let us wait alongside the women and the centurion and Joseph and everyone who had hoped for a Messiah, who felt like their dreams had breathed their last with Him.
Because Sunday, the light breaks through.
45 thoughts on "Good Friday"
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It’s hard for me to wait in this place of sadness and grief; waiting for Easter. But I know that if I don’t focus on his sacrifice, I may miss the miracle of his resurrection. ✝️
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The name Barabbas -the criminal that was released- means “son of the Father”. The Son of the Father was released to humanity this day. And the significance of His death right before Passover, when the lamb was killed and the blood smeared over the doorpost so the angel of death will pass over and spare that household really tie both Old and new testament events. When I read that God was pleased to crush His son, pleased, i realize God used suffering as a redemption tool and He is not emotional like us humans but extremely purpose oriented. God is very discreet in His ways, not loud, not promoting, not to show off either. He is secretive. He let people mock. He let His son die, tortured to the satisfaction of the wicked humanity, as a total defeat. And what is the sign? How would one know seeing things “fall apart”. He didn’t come down to save himself in front of thousands for them to see and believe. How would one know the veil is torn in the temple unless one is in the temple? May we ever be so sensitive toward God that we won’t miss His revelation. If we just look on the outward, just box God in our human expectations, we definitely would think this is a total defeat, instead of the MOST brilliant plan ever to even feel pleased. Praise God for His ever so discreet and excellent wisdom.
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A lot can happen in 3 days. Hold on, dear sisters, those of you who are experiencing the painful darkness of your circumstances and not sure if or how you will get through(Me too). It seems so dark and so, well hopeless. Hang on, a lot can happen in 3 days. The veil in the Temple tore from top to bottom so you can walk, run, no RUSH right through to lay all your burdens at the foot of the cross (I’m right beside you, girlfriends). There on that cross is the One who loves you most and laid down His life, can you believe it, willingly taking your place. Who does that?!? An innocent man(though so much more) bearing your guilt and your punishment in your place (again, me too). If He does that for you, what else can He do? Oh yes, hold on. A lot can happen in 3 days. Just. You. Wait.
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I finished reading Isaiah 53 and WOW!!!! How Isaiah predicted, not predicted envisioned or maybe even foretold, all that was going to happen on Good Friday — that Friday, the day they CRUSIFIED MY LORD. And the women, the WOMEN THAT STUCK BY CHRIST. Then there was Joseph and Nicodemus, they risked everything to bury Christ.
I ran into a dilemma last night at work, Finley’s sister Kyla — she has High Spectrum Autism and is at a 6th grade level of intelligence — we were discussing Good Friday and Easter Sunday. She said she is Christian and they go to church but she didn’t understand Good Friday and Easter that well. So I tried to explain it. She asked what I meant by “Christ rose from the dead”. I sat and contemplated it for about five minutes before I could answer her. I told her that His body came back to life but I’m not really satisfied with that answer. Can you my sisters in Christ help me to give her a better answer that she will understand, please?
Sisters be blessed and remember it’s okay to be sad at times. -
Good morning Sisters.
I have been so sick to my stomach walking through this week with Jesus and His disciples. First feeling the excitement and the joy the 12 had with their communion and closeness with Jesus, following along beside Him as He performed miracles and drew in the crowds! Can you imagine in the beginning? That feeling of nervousness and unbelief- (the feeling we have all encountered at one time), then coming to the point of astonishment and being proud to be the chosen ones! Now they were watching Jesus perform miracles, preaching, and creating a huge following, and they were in the inner circle.But then, the Romans and Pharisees start their counter-actions against Him, calling Him out to be a phony. You watch as he is grabbed, sentenced, beaten, and barely human-looking, and hung on the cross. You keep waiting for the miracle of Him coming off the cross, but it doesn’t happen.
I am there with them in my grief, my confusion, my hurting. Yes, I know we can live in the joy of Sunday, but I don’t want to be there yet. I don’t want to skip this solemn feeling, because this is where I need to be. We NEED to feel the heaviness of our SAVIOR on the CROSS, bleeding, being mocked, dying for me, and you. For all that have faith, this is the prophesied Messiah!! But He must be crucified, the lamb to slaughter, the blood to shed. I will wait, I will wait on you, Lord.
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Pierced for our transgressions. Crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. By His wounds we are healed…The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Pierced, crushed, punished – in my place. How can I not surrender my all to Him? He died so that I might live. Only a loving, forgiving God could do such a thing. Thank you Father. Thank you Jesus. May I strive to live every day for You with a heart totally surrendered.
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Yes Allison, I’m so grateful that we know He rose on the third day and don’t have to struggle with those feelings!! Thank you for your comments, I know they will be helpful in future situations when I forget that my prayer may be being answered differently than I wanted or expected!
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Crushed. Pierced. Blood poured out like grapes in the winepress. But so much more brutal. Lingering in this tortuous state brings much humility, and a heaviness to my heart. “In the crushing there is new wine”, but there is waiting in between. The pain must be felt before healing comes. A lone seed buried in the darkness, unseen. “Watch and pray” – Jesus.
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