It’s Friday. Jesus is in custody. Judas is ridden with guilt. He returns the silver, his betrayal payment, and hangs himself. Religious leaders deliver Jesus to Pilate, the governor. Each Passover, Pilate releases one prisoner to the crowd. Barabbas, a prisoner guilty of theft, insurrection and murder, is brought in. Pilate asks Jesus - are you the king of the Jews? Jesus confirms. Pilate asks the crowd who to release. Barabbas. He asks what he should do with Jesus, they shout - Crucify him. Crucify him. Jesus is delivered to the soldiers. They place a crown of thorns on his head. They mock him, beat him, strip him of his clothes. They head for Golgotha. Jesus bears the burden of carrying his own cross. He is too weak. Simon, a passerby, takes the cross and carries it on Jesus’ behalf. Jesus, spotless and innocent, is hung on the cross. A nail in each hand and a nail in his feet. A sign is placed above his head reading - King of the Jews. They mock him, insult him, spit on him, pierce his side with a sword. Hours of agony pass. Jesus cries out - Father, forgive them. Jesus, in his final moments, prays mercy over his enemies that they may come to know and believe in him. With one final cry Jesus proclaims - it is finished. Jesus hangs his head. He gives up the ghost. The veil of the temple is torn, top to bottom, in two. Joseph takes Jesus’ body. He wraps him in clean linens. He places him in a tomb, a borrowed tomb, belonging to Joseph. He seals the tomb with a stone. With that, the plan for salvation is complete. Sin, paid for. Debt, paid for. A promise of hope, mercy, forgiveness, eternal life. Free, if we’ll just trust him. Believe in him. It’s Friday. But Sunday is coming.
