Total Readings: Matthew 26:57-75, 27:1-51, 54-61; Mark 14:53-72, 15:1-48; Luke 22:54-71, 23:1-53; John 18:13-40, 19:1-42
Readings Explained:
John 18:13-24 = Preliminary Hearing Before Annas
In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we read of Peter’s First Denial , Jesus’ Trial Before Caiaphas, Peter’s Second Denial, Peter’s Third Denial and The Rooster’s Crow, Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate.
Matthew 27:3-10 = Judas’ Death
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we read of Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate, Part 2.
Luke 23:6-16 = Trial Before Herod
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we read of Jesus or Barabbas?
Matthew 27:19 = Message From Pilate’s Wife
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we read of Pilate Delivering Jesus to be Crucified, The Road to Golgotha, Simon Carries the Cross, The Criminals Crucified on Jesus’ Left and Right
Luke 23:34 = “Father, Forgive Them…”
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we read of Jesus’ Clothes Divided, Caesar’s Signs Posted, and Mocking of Jesus
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we read of Jesus’ Conversation with the Criminals.
John 19:25-27 = Jesus Tells John to Take His Mother
Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-45 = Darkness Falls
Matthew 27:46-47; Mark 15:34-35 = “My God, My God”
John 19:28 = “I Am Thirsty”
Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36 = Jesus Offered Wine and Vinegar
Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46 = Jesus’ Loud Cry “Into Thy Hands…”
John 19:39 = “It is Finished”
Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30 = Jesus’ Death
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we read of The Temple Curtain Torn, The Centurion’s Reaction
John 19:31-35 = Soldiers Break Criminal’s Legs and Solder Pierces Jesus Side With a Spear
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Witnesses to Crucifixion Identified and Joseph and Nicodemus Take Care of the Body
Matthew 27:60-61; Mark 15:46-47 = Stone Rolled in Front of Tomb Entrance
Some extra explanations:
It’s interesting to see what all four gospels record and how some events are recorded only in one or two of the gospels.
John 19:14 tells us that Jesus was taken away to e crucified at the same time the Passover lambs were being slain. At this particular time, there were so many lambs to be killed, the time was extended from noon to twilight, the same exact time Jesus was on the cross.
John 19:19-22 describes the sign over the cross. It stated Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews in three languages – Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. The first three letters of each of the four words in Aramaic were: Y – H – W – H. (This was the Hebrew form of writing the sacred name “Yahweh”! No wonder the chief priests were offended by this sign and wanted Pilate to change it! It was saying to them: “Y-H-W-H1. God, the Savior, bled to death for you.” (Brian Simmons and translation team)
Some Thoughts:
What is “good” about Good Friday? What was done to Jesus was definitely not good—it was evil. The answer lies in the root of the English word good. In Middle English, the original adjective gọ̄d meant “holy” or “sacred.” Being “holy” is why it is called “Good” Friday.
We know that Good Friday can be called “good” because of the results of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice was a demonstration of God’s love for us.
That first Good Friday, it seemed that evil was in control, but it was only a temporary arrangement. Jesus was clear that the powers of darkness were given divine permission to act against Him. Jesus told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 19:11)
A preacher named S.M. Lockridge is credited with the phrase “It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.”
Here are the words to his “sermon”:
IT’S FRIDAY—BUT SUNDAY’S COMING by S. M. Lockridge
IT’S FRIDAY—Jesus is praying; Peter’s asleep; Judas is betraying—BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY— Pilate’s struggling; The council is conspiring; The crowd is vilifying —THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—The disciples are running, like sheep without a shepherd. Mary’s crying; Peter is denying —BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—The Romans beat my Jesus; They robe Him in scarlet; They crown Him with thorns—BUT THEY DON’T KNOW THAT SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—See Jesus walking to Calvary; His blood’s dripping; His body’s stumbling, And His spirit’s burdened—BUT YOU SEE, IT’S ONLY FRIDAY, SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—The world’s winning; People are sinning; And evil is grinning.
IT’S FRIDAY—The soldiers nailed my Savior’s hands to the cross; They nailed my Savior’s feet to the cross; And then they raised him up next to criminals—IT’S FRIDAY, BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—The disciples are questioning What has happened to their King? And the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved—BUT THEY DON’T KNOW IT’S ONLY FRIDAY, SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—He’s hanging on the cross, Feeling forsaken by His followers. Left alone and dying; Can nobody save Him? —IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!
IT’S FRIDAY—The earth trembles; The sky grows dark; My King yields His spirit.
IT’S FRIDAY—Hope is lost; Death has won; Sin has conquered, And Satan’s just a’laughing.
IT’S FRIDAY—Jesus is dead; A soldier stands guard; A rock is rolled into place—BUT IT’S FRIDAY, IT IS ONLY FRIDAY AND SUNDAY IS A’COMING!
Prayer:
Jesus, You weren’t forced to take on what You did. No one did it to you. Thank You that You are acquainted with our sorrows and our grief. In the darkest of nights, when it seems all hope is gone, You are there, encouraging us that “this is not the end. Sunday is coming. Stand firm. Keep looking to Me. I’ve won your victory.” And my heart says, “Hallelujah, Amen.”
If you want to listen to S.M. Lockridge “preach it”, click the link:
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