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Good Friday
Brian Mashburn
March 21, 2010
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Good Friday
Maundy Thursday was a very good day for Jesus. Much like the proverbial "calm before the storm," Jesus had a peaceful opportunity for some very powerful fellowship with the group of guys that were his closest friends, his most intimate allies, and his Kingdom-advancing ministry team. He himself said that he had been "eagerly" awaiting this day.
But today we spend time with Jesus on Friday. This was not a day Jesus was eager for.
We join him first during an intense time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemene. It is here that Jesus desperately asked God to change the plan, courageously faced the betrayal of his friend, and compassionately healed a wound of his enemy. He was then forcefully escorted to our next stop...
The house of the Caiaphas. Here he faced the corruption of the high priest, the false accusations of the Sanhedrin, and the denial of Peter.
Next stop, the palace of Pilate, where the Roman Governor condemns him though innocent, the people choose a murderer over him, and his blood seriously starts spilling.
All of this, before we ever get to the main stop of Good Friday... a little mound of death called Golgatha.
Here stands the cross of Christ.
When I survey the wondrous cross, and I have done so quite often in my life, I never fail to find the old, faithful, and true reasons why I follow Christ with such conviction. But I also seem to always find treasures that are fresh, undiscovered, and new.
May you find both today as we spend it with Jesus on his most fearful day. And may your sin be defeated and your shame consumed by love. For that is the only good of Good Friday...and it is VERY good.