Friday

A long night, an absurd and illegal trial commenced, and Jesus was first charged with sedition, and then with blasphemy. Christ was sentenced to death for falsely assuming the power of God.

He was then in the hands of Pilate and the charge was changed to that of high treason, a grievous offense in the Roman law. Pilate finds no fault with Christ and decides to release him. Nevertheless, the people cried out,

“Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:” (Luke 23:18)
“…they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” (Luke 23:21)

Pilate, not wanting the blood of an innocent man on his hands, washes his hands of Christ’s blood. The awful cry of the people rings out, condemning and insistent.

“His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt.27:25)

Scourged, spit upon, beaten, taunted and humiliated Christ starts his long trek up to the place called Golgotha.

“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matt. 27:35)

This took place at 9:00 a.m. After his horrendous ordeal, the Lord still exerted the energy to plead for the forgiveness of the Roman soldiers.

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

The great earthquake and renting of the veil in the temple occurred at noon that day. The sun was also covered, “there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.” (Luke 23:44)

At about three in the afternoon, on that momentous Friday, the Savior having endured all cried out unto the Father.

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

Beautiful release of death came to him.

His body was quickly taken down and hastily prepared for burial before sundown, for at sundown the Sabbath was to start, and it was not seemingly to prepare a body or bury it that day. His body was laid in a tomb that was offered by one of his disciples, Joseph of Arimathaea.

This was how that Friday ended, sorrow and grief filled the earth, for the world had just crucified it’s Savior.