It’s Good Friday. The first thought I have when I hear it’s Good Friday, I think it’s anything but good knowing what Jesus experienced. We usually don’t think that any moment that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion were good or beautiful. There were so many significant moments during the final hours of his life, though.
These moments had to happen: the moment Judas handed Jesus over to the officials, the moment Peter betrayed Jesus, the moment when Jesus had to stand trial before Pilate, the moment the high priests and Jews yelled, “Crucify him!”, the moment he was ridiculed, made fun of, beaten, broken, flogged, spit on and then forced to carry his cross.
Then there was the moment when Jesus was thrown down onto the cross and too weak to stretch his arms out on the cross as the soldier grabbed them, threw them on the wood, and hammered his hands and feet into the cross.
After the cross was raised, the moments before his death must have seemed so long in pain and suffering. And then the final moment was here and Jesus cries out loud, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and breathed his last breath.
But there is still beauty that led to the cross. Jesus still experienced moments of love and compassion in the midst of his pain and suffering.
What about the moment when Jesus knew Pilate was on his side, and wanted to set him free, but couldn’t because he trusted deep down what Jesus had to do…
What about the moment Jesus and his mother locked eyes together and he comforted her with love just by the way he looked at her and made sure the disciples would take care of her…
What about the moment when Simon from Cyrene helped Jesus carry the cross when he couldn’t do it by himself anymore…
What about the moment when the man on the cross beside Jesus defended him as they hung there, saying Jesus didn’t deserve to die, and how that must have still brought Jesus joy, knowing they’d be in heaven together soon.
Each moment was a step closer to the beauty of our salvation.
Then after Jesus’ death, moment continued to be part of God’s plan:
The moment when the curtains of the holy temple tore in two from top to bottom.
The moment when the centurion saw the temple divide and praised God saying, “Surely this was the righteous Son of God!”.
The moments his followers, over the next two days, thought it was over. Now what?
And what about the moment, only God knew, that was about to happen…Jesus’ resurrection!
Every moment in life counts. God’s Word makes that very clear, filled with promises that each moment in Scripture, and in our lives today, are all part of His plan.
May this holy Friday, and the promise of Jesus’ resurrection, be filled with moments that remind you of his redeeming and relentless love for you.
It’s also Five Minute Friday and today’s word is “broken”.