Good Friday 2023

Intro

Good morning everyone and welcome to our Good Friday service. If we have any guests, I’m glad you joined us this morning.

for those who don’t know, Good Friday is the day we pause and remember that Christ died on a cross for the salvation of the world. It may seem odd to call it ‘good’ but I will explain why such a bad even could be called good.

The way this morning is going to look is we are going to walk through the account of Jesus’ crucifixion as told in Luke 23, starting in verse 26. It will be up on the screen for those who don’t have a bible, and it is also available on the app.

We are going to take our time moving through because we are going to meet a variety of people, and I think that most of us will be able to relate to one or two of these groups. I don’t say, ‘all’ any more because there is always that one person that informs me that they didn’t connect with any of the people I talk about.

Background

to set the stage for the story, Jesus has been betrayed by one of his close 12 followers. He has stood a mock trial before the religious leaders, stood before the Roman Pontius for trial, and the King of Galilee. In an attempt to appease the Jews calling for His death, Pontius Pilate has Jesus beaten, hoping that will appease the Jews. It doesn’t and so Jesus has a crown of thrones placed on His head, and a cross placed on his back to carry to the crucifixion siite.

The crazy thing about this journey was that the cross probably weighed around 300 lbs. That is one thing for a healthy person to carry, but Jesus had been beaten so badly that He was unrecognizable. The pain He would have been in was excruciating, and to carry a 300 lbs cross on top of that would’ve been near impossible.

where we pick up the story is Jesus is really struggling. History tells us that Jesus would’ve fallen twice at this point, overwhelmed by the task at hand.

Luke 23:26 NLT

As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Simon of Cyrene

the first person we meet in this story is Simon of Cyrene. It says he was coming in from the countryside, but it is more likely that he had traveled hundreds of kilometers to be in Jerusalem for the Passover. This was a trip he had probably saved up for.

Suddenly, out of the blue, a Roman spear taps him on the shoulder, and he must stop everything he is doing to carry the 300 pound cross of what appears to be a criminal.

Though we may never physically carry a 300 pound wooden cross, I wonder if there is anyone who has felt Christianity forced upon them. Whatever the motive of the person that did the forcing, it never really felt like your choice. And so you have maintained a Christian lifestyle, but never really made it your own. Deep down, you almost resent the idea of being a believer, but it is all you’ve ever known and you just want to save face.

Like Simon, Jesus was forced upon.

Luke 23:27–31 NLT

A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

The Crowd

the next group of people we meet is the crowd. Depending on the gospel account, we see a lot of different sides of the crowd. Luke records the large number of women who have already started mourning. One account describes a hostile crowd. In the grand scheme of the story, this crowd was just celebrating along side Jesus coming into the city. Now only a few days later, they are calling for His death.

Some of you will relate. Your attitude, demeanor, language; they all change depending on the crowd you are hanging around with. The things you believe and talk about is what everyone talks about because you don’t want to make waves. You willingly give in to the mob because you don’t want to stand out. It is easier to let the group do the thinking then to formulate any thoughts of your own.

Luke 23:32–38 NLT

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

The Romans

what a group of guys! The Romans are so often painted as the villains of the story but they are really a result of the culture around them. Romans were taught that they were superior to every other race, and those subjected to them really had the same rights as animals.

Even the soldiers themselves are just following orders. When they were told to whip Jesus, they didn’t decide to stop at 39 lashes; this was something they had been taught to do. The cross, the whole thing was imposed on them. It doesn’t make it any less wrong or inhumane, it is what it is

You may relate. As someone with authority, you had a job to do, and someone may have been hurt or offended. Maybe you had been raised to believe something and had assumed everyone thought like you did, only to discover that not everyone shares your opinion. Or maybe you are holding onto a hurt towards someone, thinking they are out to get you, when really they have simply been taught one way and didn’t realize they hurt you.

The Pharisees

like the Romans, the Pharisees are largely misunderstood. They are charged with leading the people spiritually, but they also find themselves looking out for the nation. One account records that the Pharisees settle on the fact that Jesus must die simply to protect the people. What if He causes a rebellion and the Romans react with force.

They also pride themselves on knowing the Scriptures, and they have taught these traditions for generations. Even though the Scriptures clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah, you can’t blame them for wanting a sign as proof of what He has been claiming. Unfortunately, John tells us that Jesus’ miracles were so numerous there is not enough ink or paper in the world to record them. They may want a sign, but it is really unclear exactly what sign they are looking for

Like the Pharisees, maybe you are resistant to change. You remember the good old days, and so you hold onto the ways things were done them, hoping for a resurgence. If change is going to happen, you undeniable proof that the change is going to bring about good. You may even be OK with the idea of God moving and speaking, but deep down you have a mistrust about it because you are unsure what the Spirit might do. You have the best intentions, but you have unintentionally become an anchor for growth

Luke 23:39–43 NLT

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Criminals

Oh the criminals. You could not have two more radically different views about the exact same situation. The one criminal, often depicted as being on Jesus’ left, is unremorseful about his situation. He doesn’t want Jesus to do a sign so that he can be changed; he wants down so he can go back to his wicked ways. His only regret is that he got caught and got nailed to a cross.

Opposite, the other thief is well aware that he is getting what he deserves. He doesn’t want down, he simply wants Jesus to remember him in paradise. He is so convinced of his wrongdoing he doesn’t even ask for forgiveness.

You might relate to the first criminal. You really don’t care what the Bible says about right or wrong. You are quite happy to live your life the way you want to live it. In fact, if God was real, He’d prove by some sign. He’d show up in my bedroom one night and prove He’s real, or He’d part Kenosee Lake next time I’m up there. Then I’d consider changing things, but even then it wouldn’t be a guarantee

Or you relate to the second thief. You are very aware of the numerous mistakes you’ve made. The list is so long, you have convinced yourself that God has given up on you. When life gets tough, its because you’re a bad person and you deserve it. You’ve convinced yourself you are so far gone, there is no point in even asking for forgiveness.

Luke 23:44–49 NLT

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

The Disciples

Finally the disciples appear on the scene. You may have been wondering where they’ve been.

The disciples are the ones who have been with Jesus the most. Some of them have been with Jesus since His ministry began. After three years, all the things they have seen, all the things they’ve heard Him preach; they are not the same as they were when it all began. But in saying that, they aren’t perfect either. Each one has had their mistakes.

You may relate to them. You’ve been faithfully attending church and following Jesus. You will admit that you are not the same person as when your journey started. But you still make mistakes, and you just hope one day it will all stop. Maybe one day you can overcome all these things that keep frustrating you.

They all had one thing in common

all these different groups, all different experiences, all different challenges and struggles.

No matter what was going on in their individual lives, they all had one thing in common

“Forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

We often attribute it this to the Romans and the Pharisees because they are leading the charge for His death. The truth is that we all need forgiveness because we often undersestimate the power that sin has in our lives.

When sin entered the world, all of creation fell under its curse, and the result was a hopeless situation. Man tried to overcome, tried to meet the requirements of God’s holy law, but they always came up short. If humanity was going to be free from sin, it was going to take God’s direct intervention. So the Son of God stripped off His divinity, took on a body like ours, and died a sinner’s death in our place. Because of what Jesus did, we can be free from sin. See to remain in sin is to invite death into our lives, but to embrace Jesus as our Savior is to invite life and peace.

Today is Good Friday, not because Jesus died, but because what Jesus’ death accomplished. It is good because the price has been paid, and the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

This new life, the slate wiped clean, the freedom from guilt and condemnation, is true no matter what group you related to.

Simon, the cross carrier; history tells us he later became a follower of Christ, and his sons became leaders in the early church

In 50 days those same crowds that called for Jesus death would hear the gospel message preached by a fisherman, and 3,000 people would discover life in Christ.

The Romans would one day stop killing Christians and embrace Christianity as the core religion for the entire empire.

In a few years time, a Pharisee named Saul would encounter Jesus on the side of a road, discover the truth of Scripture, and become on of the most effective missionaries the world has ever seen.

The disciples, mistakes and all, would receive the Holy Spirit and kickstart a movement that is sweeping across the globe even today.

You Choose

As we close, today I present to you two choices. No matter which group you related to. Regardless if you’ve been a Christian for a long time or don’t have any faith at all. Each one of us has to make this choice every single day.

See without Christ every one of us is a crimnal. Without Jesus we are all sinners, completely deserving of all the punishment and consequences that comes with our sin. Regardless if you think you are a good person, God knows your heart, and He has declared that not one person is found righteous.

Upon hearing that, you have a choice. Will you be the criminal that sticks your nose in the air and reject Christ. Reject His free gift and continue to live life the way you want. Will you determine that you are god enough, and arrogantly turn your back?

OR, will you realize the truth of your situation, humble yourself before such a gracious God, and bow your heart to Him? See mercy is not getting what you deserve. What we all deserve is punishment for our sins, but Christ has already taken our place and received the punishment for us. On the other hand, grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Instead of being punished for our sins, we will receive a new life, and the promise of eternity in God’s presence.

Friend, today I encourage you to choose life. No matter how hard it is, no matter what you think is standing in your way, make the decision today to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. Ask for His forgiveness, receive it, and start the new life that you were made to live.