WATCHWORD:
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already, they did not break His legs. 34 However, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear. John 19:33-34a
And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise. Mark 10:34
Meditation:
The Centurion
Two excerpts, related to Good Friday, from the book, A Life for Barabbas:
Calvary Hill, Good Friday, 33 AD:
Barabbas’ attention was still on Jesus, when one of the soldiers, a Centurion (Longinus), approached the cross. The soldier seemed sad as he paced back and forth. He gazed at Jesus briefly, shaking his head. Then raised a spear, and, almost in anger, drove it, hard, into the side of Jesus. Jesus made no sound, nor did he move. He was dead. The Centurion withdrew the spear and bowed his head, hiding tears. Then, still looking sad and angry, he threw the spear down and walked away.
A street in Jerusalem, three years later:
The captain looked at Barabbas, surprised. “You say you were there, on Calvary, after Pilate pardoned you? Why in the blood of Nero would you do that? Why would you go there after you escaped the same fate as Jesus? Cruel curiosity?”
“No. I was drawn there. When I was released from prison, I followed a crowd of people…It was later that I learned the reason that I was there.”
“So, you think you were there to learn a lesson by watching men die cruelly?”
“No, that wasn’t it. I’m not sure you would understand, but being there was the most important moment of my life.”
“Really? The most important moment of your life,” the captain said, shaking his head. “I would have thought Pilate pardoning you would be the most important moment of your life. I’d like to hear more about that, but, frankly, I don’t want to take the time…I will tell you this, that day was an important moment of my life, as well, and it wasn’t good…” With that, the captain turned and started back to his patrol.
“What happened to you?” Barabbas called after him.
The captain turned and stepped back, closer to Barabbas, saying, “That is none of your business, but I’ll tell you this. On that day, something happened, and, as a result, I was relieved of my duties and demoted. My career as a Centurion officer was ruined.”
“What did you do to deserve that?”
“Listen to me,” he said in a quiet voice. “I was Commander of the Centurions, and I had been to more crucifixions than I would care to remember. Each one, I believe, was justified because of the actions of the person being executed. They were criminals, murderers, those that had incited riots.
“But, on this day, one man was being executed who was innocent, who did not deserve to die. I knew who he was; I had seen him before. I had heard him speaking to crowds on the street, and he was not speaking against the Roman occupation; he was not stirring up trouble. He was talking about the importance of peace and love. People who heard him liked what he was saying…They loved him. That was very clear. But here he was, an innocent man, stretched out on a cross, dying, for what reason?”
“It sounds like you had compassion for him. That you didn’t believe he deserved to be executed. What did you do?”
“What did I do? I took a spear from one of my guards, and I killed him. Now, they say he lives, but I don’t believe it. There, I’ve said too much already. On your way and forget what I told you.” The captain turned and walked away.
On one hand, we share the compassion of Longinus, the Centurion, who saw the injustice and took what action he could, regardless of the consequences. We, on this side of the Resurrection, realize the price that Jesus paid for our eternal lives and, maybe we grasp, to a small extent, the gift behind this awful act of crucifixion–the ultimate gift from God.
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
Thursday night through Good Friday: Jesus is betrayed, tried, tortured, crucified, dies and is entombed. The curtain in the Temple is torn in two. There is an earthquake and a dimming of the sun. A centurion declares “He was the Son of God.”
For Christians, Good Friday is one of the most important days of the year. This holy day celebrates the beginning of Jesus’ most important miracle. For many Christians, the weekend beginning with Good Friday is the most important few days ever to take place in history. After all, Good Friday is the day on which Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins. He was flogged, tortured, and crucified, giving his life to save everyone else’s. It’s also a day of fasting, penance, and thoughtfulness. Good Friday, it takes faith to understand how it is good.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, we remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so we could be set free. He paid the price, such a great sacrifice, to offer us the gift of eternal life. Help us never to take for granted this huge gift of love on our behalf. Help us to be reminded of the cost of it all. Forgive us for being too busy, or distracted by other things, for not fully recognizing what you have freely given, what you have done for us. Thank you Lord that by your wounds we are healed. Thank you that because of your huge sacrifice we can live free. Thank you that sin and death have been conquered, and that your Power is everlasting. Thank you that we can say with great hope, “It is finished…” For we know what’s still to come. Death has lost its sting. We praise you for you are making all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
