GOOD FRIDAY
They arrested Him.
They conjured lies about Him.
The religious elite railroaded Him and found Him "guilty."
They bound Him.
They plucked out His beard.
They blindfolded Him and then punched Him in the face.
And those who swore to die with Him denied knowing Him.
It wasn't "popular" to know Him.
That was yesterday.
Today, they dragged His bruised and bloodied body before Pilate and demanded His death.
Today, they taunted Him.
Today, they stripped Him naked.
Today, they jammed a crown, woven of thorns, into the flesh of His head.
Today, they pummeled His Body.
Today, they tied Him to the "whuppin' post" and flailed Him with the "cat of nine tails".
Today, they lashed Him with the whip and shredded the skin on His back.
Today, they spilled His Holy Blood.
And when they were done, His form no longer appeared to be human.
The Word says it.
They had beat Him, literally, to a pulp.
Today, they forced Him to carry the heavy beam of his own death instrument.
Today, they spit in His face and buffeted Him as He struggled to carry it.
Today, they hammered spikes….
Not nails…..
NOT NAILS….
THICK, IRON SPIKES….through his wrists and ankles…. and drove them into the wood.
Today, they hung Him on the Cross.
Today, they offered Him vinegar when He cried out for water.
Today, they jammed a spear into His side.
Today, they mocked Him as He died, then gambled for His clothes.
Did "they" do all this to Him?
Did they?
No.
Not "they"….."we."
"We" did this.
The collective sin of humanity did this.
But, it was not "done to Him",
He allowed it to be done.
He took it by choice.
He chose it.
He orchestrated it;
My Savior is Omnipotent.
Did He not say it to Pilate?
Did He not say, "No one takes My life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”?
He chose it for your sake.
He chose it for me.
Dear Jesus, how sorry am I that I place my allegiance on anything but You!
This world runs after everything, and everyone, but You,
And I run with it!
Forgive me!
You have done for me what no mortal could ever do!
And, I am determined to tell it.
Forgive me when I bow to pressure and follow the easy way.
Let me tell it!
I will tell it til I die.
I will speak Your Name and declare Your Preeminence!
I will not sit down.
I will not back down.
I will never shut up.
Your Blood was spilled today.
You spilled Your Own, so that mine would not be!
It was spilled today…
But, Sunday is coming!