On Good Friday, we stand at the foot of the cross. The teachings have ceased. The betrayal has happened. The trial is over. Now, the sinless Son of God suffers and dies—willingly—for our sin. Jesus had no sin of his own, but as 2 Corinthians tells us:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
It’s the darkest day in human history… and yet, we call it good. Why?
On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion (See Keeton’s sermon)—and we also are reminded of the culmination of centuries of prophecy, priestly rituals, and divine promises. Jesus died in our place, fulfilled all righteousness, and opened the way to eternal life through faith in Him. We recognize the solemn and heavy reality of what Jesus bore in his body and spirit on Good Friday. We also should rejoice in His finished work!
The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53, written centuries before Christ, describes a “Suffering Servant” who bears the sin of His people.
- Isaiah 53:5 (ESV):
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” - Isaiah 53:6:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
On Good Friday, Jesus fulfills this prophecy as the innocent one who suffers in the place of sinners. He was:
- Pierced (through crucifixion),
- Silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7),
- Assigned a grave with the wicked (53:9), yet
- Vindicated by God (53:10–12).
Jesus, The Supreme Sacrifice
The entire Old Testament sacrificial system pointed forward to a better sacrifice. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this:
- Hebrews 10:1–4, 10–14 shows that animal sacrifices were temporary, repetitive, and insufficient to take away sin permanently.
- The sacrificial lamb at Passover and the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) symbolized substitution and cleansing, but Jesus actually accomplished both.
If we look at blood in the scope of Biblical Theology, blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). Sacrificial blood was required to make atonement for sin:
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV):
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Jesus’ blood:
- Makes peace with God (Colossians 1:20).
- Cleanses the conscience from dead works (Hebrews 9:14)
- Establishes the new covenant (Luke 22:20)
- Justifies believers (Romans 5:9)
- Brings redemption (Ephesians 1:7)
John 1:29 (ESV):
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Jesus became:
- The spotless Lamb (without sin),
- The once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10),
- The Great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11–14),
- And the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).
His crucifixion wasn’t just symbolic—it was a divine transaction, where our sin was placed on Jesus and His righteousness was made available to all who repent and place their faith in Him.
The Events of Good Friday
The Trial and Condemnation of Jesus
Mark 15:1–5 (ESV)
“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation… and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.”
Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who found no guilt in Him (Luke 23:4). Yet, swayed by the crowd and politics, Pilate gave in.
John 19:15–16 (ESV)
“They cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him!’… So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.”
This injustice wasn’t accidental—it was God’s ordained plan to bring salvation. Isaiah had foretold it.
The Road to Golgotha
Beaten, mocked, and crowned with thorns, Jesus was forced to carry His cross to Golgotha, the “Place of a Skull.”
Luke 23:33 (ESV)
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him…”
Two criminals hung beside Him—one mocked, the other believed. Jesus told the repentant thief:
Luke 23:43 (ESV)
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Even in agony, Jesus extended grace. Salvation, the way to restored communion with the Father, the forgiveness of sins, the truth of all things, the way of everlasting life – is only in and through Jesus.
The Final Hours on the Cross
Mark 15:33–34 (ESV)
“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land… And at the ninth hour Jesus cried… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
This wasn’t just physical suffering. Jesus was bearing the full weight of sin—the wrath of God poured out on Him in our place.
John 19:30 (ESV)
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
He did not die defeated. He finished the work of redemption. He paid the debt we could never pay.
The Curtain Torn and the Earth Shaken
Matthew 27:51 (ESV)
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”
The torn curtain signified that the barrier between God and man was removed. Access to the Father was now possible through the blood of Jesus.
We testify that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—and on Good Friday, that truth was secured forever.
Jesus Is Buried
Luke 23:50–53 (ESV) See Pastor Zad’s message on this; including the unlikely disciple who begged for Jesus’ body – Joseph of Arimethea.
“Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone…”
Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb. The stone was rolled in place. The world went quiet. Hope, it seemed, was buried.
But the story wasn’t over.
What Good Friday Teaches Us
- Sin is serious. The cross shows the weight and consequence of OUR sin. We must see the cost of our sin. It must not be trivialized. The forgiveness of sin came at a great cost. May this realization motivate us to lead a life of killing sin daily, and giving Christ praise from now through all eternity.
- Jesus is our substitute. He died in our place to satisfy the wrath and justice of God.
- God’s love is on full display. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV)
- The cross is not the end. Jesus said he would rise again. Do we believe in the power of His resurrection? We know the story, and the cross was not the end. It was the culmination of God’s providential plan for the ultimate sacrifice and man’s evil plan to destroy this so called “blasphemer” Jesus. Does this remind you of the words of Joseph in Genesis 50? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Reflection
Good Friday is not just a somber remembrance of the crucifixion—it’s a sacred invitation. The cross is where justice for sin and mercy’s provision meet, where God’s wrath and love for fallen man collide, and where the Savior proclaims, “It is finished.”
Jesus died for sinners, and by His wounds, we are healed. The Good in Good Friday is that despite the gruesome suffering and death Jesus endured on that day, it marks the greatest good for sinners ever accomplished—the atoning sacrifice for sin that made salvation possible. Praise the name of Jesus! The call of the Good News (the Gospel) requires repentance of our sin and faith in Jesus Christ, who was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25).
The tomb is sealed, the King of Kings is dead at the hands of lawless sinners (Acts 2:23). It seems all hope is lost. Nevertheless, remember His words, “And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”