We call it “Good Friday”, but the story is far from good or nice. The “Good” part is the WHY. Why did an innocent man get a death sentence? Why did Jesus have to suffer torture? Finally, why did God allow it? This is all explained clearly in the scriptures — both in the Old and New Testaments…
In fact, in every single book—from Genesis to Revelation—each one of them points to Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah and the Savior of the World. In the Old Testament, Jesus is predicted. In the New Testament, He is revealed, preached, explained, and expected. You find Him everywhere because Jesus is the hero of the entire Bible.
Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled
- Psalm 22: How Jesus Fulfilled this Psalm on the Cross…
- 16 Messianic Psalms Part 1: Finding Jesus in Songs & Prayers of the Past
- 16 Messianic Psalms Part 2: Finding Jesus in Songs & Prayers of the Past
- Isaiah 52-53: Good News in the Epic Prophecy Fulfilled by Jesus
Good Friday in the New Testament
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
Special Good Friday Bible Studies
- Good Friday: A Walk Through Holy Week – Jesus’ Trial
- Good Friday: What it’s Like to Feel Excruciating Pain
- Podcast: The In-Depth Meaning of Jesus’ Suffering on the Cross
- Podcast: Jesus Calls You Forgiven by His Sacrifice on the Cross
- Did You Know that Legalism is Finished? How Jesus Opened a Gateway Between Us and God
- The 7 Last Words of Jesus Christ
- Understand the Importance of Atonement: Why Jesus had to Die
“In 1986, The American Medical Association published an article titled “The Physical Death of Jesus Christ”. It details the entire process of Jesus’ trial to His death on the cross. In Luke 22, before Jesus is arrested, it is written that He was in great distress & sweating blood. Although rare, it is recognized as Hematidrosis, caused by high amounts of stress.
At the time, the crucifixion was considered the worst death for the worst of criminals. But this is not all Jesus faced. He endured whipping so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. He was beaten so horrific that His face was torn & His beard ripped. A crown of thorns, 2-3 inches long cut deeply into His scalp. The leather whip used to flog Him had tiny iron balls & sharp bones. The balls caused internal injuries while the sharp bones ripped open His flesh. His skeletal muscles, veins, & bowels we’re exposed, causing major blood loss. Most men do not survive this kind of torture. After Jesus was severely flogged, He was forced to carry His own cross while people mocked & spat on Him.
Crucifixion was a process meant to instill excruciating pain, creating a slow & agonizing death. Nails as long as 8 inches were driven into Jesus’ wrists & feet. The Roman soldiers knew the tendon in the wrists would tear & break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the courage..Jesus endured this reality for 3 hours!
The Gospel of John writes that after Jesus’ death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear & blood & water came out. Scientists explain that from hypovolemic shock, the rapid heart rate causes fluid to gather in the sack around the lungs & heart. The gathering of fluid in the membrane around the heart is called Pericardial effusion & the lungs, Pleural effusion.
To the world, Christianity is as foolish as it can get. They believe it’s for the weak. But when you are confronted by the reality of the cross, it’s clearly not a pretty sight. It is brutal & horrific. This is the weight Jesus carried. The weight of the sins of the world, all so that we can live. God’s wrath is fully satisfied in Jesus. This is what it took. Repent & believe! Jesus is “God among us” in the flesh. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus loves you so much, He went through this spiritual and physical punishment for your sins and mine. Jesus is Lord, Almighty God, Everlasting Father.”
Rena Parsons
Good Friday Encouragement for Us
“That is what happened at the cross: an eternity’s worth of righteous fury and anger against sin was supernaturally compressed into six hours’ time. At the cross, our Savior paid our sin debt in full. This is why, after his suffering was complete, Jesus cried out, ‘It is finished!’ (John 19:30). The Greek word here is tetelestai, which technically means ‘to fulfill one’s task or mission.’ This was Jesus’ cry of ‘Mission accomplished!’”
Jeff Kinley, God’s Grand Finale (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2023), 94. (Affiliate Link)
We reflect on [Good Friday] on the events of Calvary and think about Jesus’ triumphant statement, “It is Finished”. While we rest secure in the finished work of Christ on the cross, please remember millions of people throughout Asia [the world] who are still trying to earn favour as they follow works-based religions.
AsiaLink
It Is Finished!
Trying to earn spiritual favor or “grace points” is a never-ending burden. Jesus freed us from the slavery of religion — only if you believe this and follow Him.
Catholics, if Purgatory exists, then Jesus suffered and died for nothing!
Jesus alone offers rest and restoration from the constant struggle to earn favor. Without Jesus, You can NEVER be GOOD ENOUGH!
Jesus said…
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Jesus didn’t suffer torture on the cross and die so we could have religion! He did this so that He could have a personal relationship with YOU!
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
