Good Friday 1

Yesterday we thought of the text of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and that is an important text because it shows us the full humanity of Jesus. I know that the divine Christ, the only Son of God came to earth to live as one of us – and I know that he bridged that gap between us and God, however it is the human Christ that I look for when I read my Bible. In the twists and turns of life, the good and the bad, it is the human Christ that understands what I am thinking, what I am going through, and most importantly how I feel.

Jesus said in the garden “The sorrow is in my heart that it almost crushes me”. He had shared his human life with his friends – he knew this was coming to an end – and in his final hours the previous triumphant and wonderful three years seemed to be quickly changing into sadness for Our Lord.

He had chosen his followers, he had carefully taught and guided them, he had prepared them to be His followers after his death, he had washed their feet, taught them about the importance of servanthood, given them the keys to the kingdom of God, they had seen the glory of God through the work of His only Son, and what did this amount to?

In that Garden at Gethsemane, they had failed to watch with Him for even one hour. He had been betrayed by one of His closest friends, another would deny that he even knew Him, the rest would run away to hide. The crowds that proclaimed Him as King had misunderstood and were now hostile. He would be beaten, humiliated and killed – the death of a criminal.

“The sorrow is in my heart that it almost crushes me”. And it would crush us too.

The human Christ is here today asking us to think about the times when WE have been let down, humiliated, misunderstood and berated. Jesus is saying I know how you feel.

For all those who suffer in the world at the hand of unjust regimes, for those who are persecuted for their nationality, beliefs, the colour of their skin or any other reason, Jesus is saying I know how you feel.

From sorrow to failure – Jesus says “My Father, if it is possible take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want”. And the human Jesus sits alongside those who cannot continue too – those who are struggling with life, those who feel that everything is pointless. He is saying “I know how you feel”, I have been there too…

The Gospels are dangerous texts – they aren’t only a good read, but the living word that jumps off the page to comfort the upset, and to upset the comfortable.

I commend to you Jesus of Nazareth – the man we crucified – fully human and fully divine. There have been many bad days throughout the course of history, but Good Friday is the blackest day in the history of humanity. It was on that day that all of the selfish pride, arrogance and lust for power, caused an innocent man to be put on a cross to die.

This week as we have journeyed towards this day, we have reflected on the power and love of Jesus, the betrayal of him by Judas, the Last Supper and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Every message has offered a challenge or some hope, but that was something that was missing on that first Good Friday. Evil had won, darkness had triumphed over light…

And Jesus was on the cross dying…
“Hail the King of the Jews” They shouted. Purple for a king and a crown – a crown of thorns. We can see the humiliation 2000 years later. We would surely cringe at a fraction of this humiliation. Our pride would be dented, perhaps we would look for the opportunity to exact our revenge.

Forgiveness comes hard to us – forgetting is even harder. However, imagine Jesus for a few seconds – In a culture where personal status was what men stood or fell by; A culture where humiliation always sparked retribution ; A culture where social standing was a lifelong struggle. Jesus the Son of God, mocked, berated, belittled and tortured. He endured it all for us.

He had a message of peace, love, justice and salvation, to change all lives for the good for all time, surely he would be heard – Surely a few well placed words of wisdom would make all the difference. We knew he could do it – but it wasn’t in the plan. The cross was the only option for the salvation of humanity. He endured it all for us.

He was the Son of God. One word and his enemies would be reduced to dust by a thousand angels waiting for His command. It didn’t matter what Pilate or the Chief Priest said, he was still the Son of God, and he should have their respect – perhaps then he could smile – one of those wry smiles of victory. They would all believe in His power, victory would be His. Still, for our sake He was humiliated and slaughtered, a political pawn for the powers to fight over. He endured it all for us.

“The king of the Jews” was written over the cross in Latin, Hebrew and Greek. Pilate had the last laugh at the expense of the chief priests. He could see their anger and upset about this upstart Galilean. Near the city they could all see the inscription on the cross. This was a public execution, not a private murder. As they milled around, they would have been furious.

As the soldiers cast lots for His clothes, Jesus could see the scripture unfolding before His eyes. The words of the long dead prophets were being lived out on that day. The signs that confirmed that Jesus was the messiah were all around – but the people and the soldiers were oblivious. Caught up in life and loathing – cruelty and condemnation. How would they know that they were fulfilling prophesies with every word and action. Did any look back after the crucifixion and weep for their part they played? Did they beg God for forgiveness? Did they find an answer to the events on that day?

At the foot of the cross – with Jesus’ arms outstretched in an open embrace for the whole world – were only Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene and John. The others had gone – afraid – running for their lives. Denial, betrayal and a lack of nerve had scattered them to the winds.

In the blood and dust, they sat waiting for something – anything. They believed, but what could they do? Their plans and hopes were dying on the cross. Jesus looks down and makes arrangements for the care of His mother. The two people who stuck with Jesus until the end were to care for each other in the difficult times ahead.

Jesus looks down at us today from the cross – urging us to care for those who sit in sorrow, just as if we were caring for Him. From the cross he tells us that we show our love for Him in our love for others

And Jesus said “It is finished” then he bowed his head and gave up His spirit. This might be the end – but it has only just begun really. This is where the new promise between God and humanity begins, this is where the early church starts, this is where the promises and the prophesies are written large on the hearts of those who dared think the unthinkable.

This moment – the calm before the storm if you like – each and every time we hear it, is the moment when we can ask ourselves the one question.

Do I understand what this means? Every year, as we witness the action replay of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, we are being invited to ask ourselves this question. Each year we might get closer to the answer, to understanding. Even if we can appreciate the huge price paid to free us and bring us salvation, there are some things that take a little more thought and prayer.

Jesus died for His enemies too! He died for those who persecuted Him, and those who persecute people today. Jesus died for the worst sinner, the worst dictator, and the worst criminal. He died to save them too.

It can be our only hope that the image of the crucifixion, the horror of the brutality carried out for our sake, will burn an image onto our souls. That cross and that death, the Son of God reduced to a figure of scorn and humiliation, all so that we may have the chance of salvation.

Unless we see this image in our faith and belief, burned onto everything we do, our relationships, our dealings and our lives, we may never understand what happened all those years ago. We might only wonder what it all means, and how it affects us…..

May it affect us just as if we were sat at the foot of the cross this very moment – watching Jesus die for us.

Do we understand what it means?

Let us pray : God who gave your Holy word to point us to the truth – kindle in us the fire of your Holy Spirit, so we may comfort the upset and upset the comfortable. Give us grace and courage in abundance, give us hearts to love you and obey your commands. Through any suffering of ours may we know your loss and the great gift of life you gave to us. AMEN