Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:1-66
Historical Context
Good Friday is the day we remember the sobering reality of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Romans used crucifixion as a humiliating, brutal, shameful, and excruciating form of execution by torture. It was meant to be a slow and painful death. Crucifixion was used for people who were found guilty of a capital offense. The Jewish leaders of that time were determined to have Jesus executed, insisting to the Roman authorities that He must be put to death because of His claim to be King.
There was a temple in Jerusalem that was the center of all Jewish religious life. The Holy Place was the outer sanctuary, and beyond the Holy Place was the Most Holy Place, separated by a thick curtain. The Most Holy Place was where the presence of God dwelt. The high priest was the only person who could enter the Most Holy Place, but only once a year. At Jesus’ death, the temple curtain tore in two from top to bottom. The tearing of the temple veil, mentioned in Matthew 27:51, was significant because it symbolizes the access believers in Jesus Christ now have to the Father. There are no longer any spiritual barriers between us and God. We can now confidently approach His Throne because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross (Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 10:19-21). His Presence was no longer confined to just the temple, but now He dwells in His people through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Jewish burial customs were influenced by religious law and tradition. Burial often took place immediately after death. The body would be washed, wrapped in linens, and placed in the tomb along with spices, which was a part of their embalming process. Followed by the burial was a period of intense grief and mourning. After Jesus died, His body was taken by Joseph and he, along with Nicodemus, hurried to bury Him before sundown to obey the Jewish law, which required burials to take place before the Sabbath began.
Devotional Reflection
Isaiah 53 gives us a picture of the depth of Christ’s suffering. Jesus was despised and rejected. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. He carried our sin, rebellion, guilt, and shame. He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. And His wounds have healed us and made us clean. Tetelestai is the Greek word for “it is finished” and it means “paid in full.” These were Jesus’ last words on the cross. What does this mean for us today? It means that the sacrifice of Jesus was once and for all. He fully paid the debt we owed and made a way for us to be reconciled to God. Jesus has won the victory over sin and death, which now gives us the power to live in freedom from guilt and shame. We are a new creation in Christ and our past no longer defines us (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Personal Application
I am encouraged to remember Jesus’ sacrifice in times of deep sorrow and suffering. When I look to the cross and remember what Jesus has done for me, it gives me peace knowing that He knows, better than anyone, what it’s like to walk through suffering. Life’s hardships–– whether illness, pain, betrayal, anxiety, grief, misunderstandings, loss–– can feel overwhelming and unbearable. Yet, amid that, God promises to be with us. He doesn’t leave us in the mess to figure it out on our own, but He graciously leads us in the way we should go as we follow Him. We are promised that we will have trouble in this life. But we can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). We can look to Jesus–– the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). In times when my faith feels weak and fear creeps in, I can rest knowing that His plan for my life is far better than any plan I could come up with on my own. His ways and thoughts are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:9), and He never wastes our suffering. In fact, Romans 5:3-5 reminds us that suffering is what God uses to refine our faith, producing endurance, character, and hope. And our hope is secured because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. These are truths to cling to and rejoice in!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I stand in awe as I remember the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You for sending Your one and only Son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You that I am now reconciled to You––fully forgiven and redeemed. Let the power of Christ’s sacrifice fill me with hope, joy, and wonder. When I am faced with trials of many kinds, and feel the weight of grief, help me to look to You and remember what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Going Deeper: How does reflecting on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice shape your perspective of personal suffering?
