GOOD FRIDAY 2017

:::GOOD FRIDAY:::

::: :::

:::MOVEMENT 2: Betrayed, Arrested, Denied, and Judged:::

Q — Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you?

It’s probably one of the most crushing things that can happen.

“I thought you cared about me. I thought I could trust you.”

Q — Have you been accused of a wrongful act that you played no part in?

It’s injustice, it’s beyond frustrating…

You want to make sure you’re heard by those accusing you.

You want justice, you want fairness, you want a voice.

Q — Has there ever been a time in your life when you were disregarded by your friends or coworkers, or shunned, and maybe even talked about in ways that were never true? Has a best friend ever completely disowned you? Have you been judged for someone else’s crime?

This starts to feel a bit overwhelming, right?

And there was the moment of judgement for Jesus when Pilate was questioning him, Pilate knew he wasn't guilty.

But I imagine this intense and yet brief moment Pilate had with Jesus. The religious folks, high priests, were nearby spouting off accusation after accusation.

Pilate begins questioning Jesus… and I’ve been reading this over in the gospel of John.

Imagine you’re in the room… imagine the situation…

John 19:9–11 ESV

He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

9 He (Pilate) entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Pilate is basically saying, “I can end this. Give me reason. Tell me your NOT the king of the Jews… Just say something so I can get these people off your back…”

———— — — — —

Jesus not only (1) was about to endure the cross but he (2) endured the road to the cross, which I imagine was just as difficult.

We would’ve been done after:

Judas sold us out and

Peter denied us!

“Really! After years of teaching you, serving you, showing you the ways of God… this is how you treat me?!”

———— — — — —

The reality is, we are just like Judas and Peter. We are guilty of rejecting and denying Jesus.

The reality is, we are just like Judas and Peter. We are guilty of rejecting and denying Jesus.

By our own pride, desire for personal autonomy and sin we’ve essentially joined in with the crowd yelling “crucify him.”

On Good Friday we are reminded that we need God’s mercy and our proper response is that of repentance.

None of us are innocent.

We are all in need of: (1) not only a teacher, (2) a moral leader, or (3) an example of love to the poor.

We need a Savior.

———— — — — —

Jesus had no one by his side when he faced ultimate evil.

Jesus had no one by his side when he faced ultimate evil.

Fortunately, Jesus also knew what his father had called him to do and he understood what was at stake.

SO…

Jesus was ultimately betrayed so that we don’t have to be when we put our faith in Him.

Jesus was ultimately denied and judged for sin so that we don’t have to be when we put our faith in Him.

:::INTRO “HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE”:::

LET’S JOIN TOGETHER IN SINGING HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US!

C: Lord, it was my sin that put you on the cross. It is my fault. In light of my guilt, I am overwhelmed by your love and long to turn from my sinful attitudes and actions. Amen.