Good Friday

by TerryLema

As I studied this week in preparation for Good Friday, I was reminded that as Jesus stood trial before the Roman Governor, Pilate confirmed Jesus’ innocence.  Twice he said that he found no basis for the charge of treason brought against Jesus. He had Jesus scourged hoping to create sympathy among His accusers. That didn’t work.  Pilate then offered to exchange Jesus for an already convicted traitor, Barabbas. That didn’t work either.

 Those accusing Jesus didn’t like, nor want, the type of Messiah Jesus claimed to be … one who would suffer for the sins of the world. They wanted something different; they wanted someone like Barabbas who was convicted of trying to throw off Roman rule. Their Messiah was to be bold and angry, not meek and humble.  So they abandoned the true and embraced the false.

 As I prayed and prepared, I was also reminded that their attitude toward Jesus was not very different from the current attitude toward Him. Our culture is changing the character and work of Jesus Christ, nullifying the cross, because we don’t think He fits what we want! Our culture wants a “Jesus” that embraces everything, never speaks of sin or punishment, death nor hell. It wants a Jesus that fits its idea of what a Savior should be, one that never confronts, nor judges, nor condemns. So, it abandons the true and embraces the false.

 They were wrong about Jesus then; and many are wrong about Jesus now. Jesus said that when He died and returned to the Father, He would send the Holy Spirit. Then He informed us what the work of the Holy Spirit would be.  

John 16:8-11:  “When [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”  

0 comment

You may also like