By Pastor Drew Temple
Read
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit!” And having said this, he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” – Luke 23:44-47 (ESV)
Reflect
On Good Friday, we remember Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. The sky darkened as the Son bowed His head, and the earth trembled. In the midst of agony, a divine exchange took place—our Savior took upon Himself the weight of our sins, bearing the darkness and brokenness that was meant for us.
In Luke 23, we witness the moment Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple, which separated us from the holiest of holies, tore apart, removing the barrier between God and man and giving us access to God through Christ. The darkness that shrouded the land reflected the depth of sin’s grip on humanity, anticipating the victory that was soon to come.
“Certainly this man was innocent!”
This simple declaration reminds us of the undeniable truth of Jesus’s identity and mission. In His sacrifice, righteousness triumphed over sin, and love conquered and swallowed death. As the prophet Isaiah wrote centuries before this moment, “The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Apply
On this Good Friday, let’s not merely observe the historical event of Jesus’s crucifixion but allow its reality to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. As we contemplate the darkness that covered the land, may we acknowledge the darkness within ourselves—the sins, unbelief, and fears that separate us from God and one another.
In the midst of this darkness, let’s fix our eyes on the cross, where grace abounds and redemption flows freely. Let us remember that it was for our sake that Jesus endured the agony and shame of the cross, willingly laying down His life so that we might have life in abundance and forevermore.
Pray
Father, as we reflect on Good Friday, we are reminded of the immense sacrifice Your Son, Jesus Christ, made on our behalf. We confess our sins and shortcomings, knowing that it was our sins which nailed Him to the cross. Yet, we also rejoice in the hope of redemption and reconciliation that His death and resurrection brought us.
Lord, help us embrace the light that shines from the darkness of Calvary. Strengthen us as we practice the way of Jesus, embodying His love, mercy, and compassion in all we do. May we always find peace in the shadow of the cross and hope in the promise of resurrection.
In Jesus’s holy name, we pray. Amen.
