Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I am looking forward to celebrating with my friends and family at church. It is the day we mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The day he rose from the dead; to reveal his great victory over sin and death, and to give eternal life to all who would receive it.

But today is Saturday. The day after Good Friday, when he was betrayed by one of his closest friends. He was slandered and treated as a vile criminal. He was beaten, mocked, publicly humiliated, and sentenced to death by crucifixion (where the word “excruciating” originally comes from). It is a good day to remember the price he paid beforehand.

The photo below is a picture of an archaeological exhibit that shows a heel bone of a first century man who was crucified and then buried with the nail still embedded. This kind of cruel and unusual torture was how Rome made an example of the worst criminals.

Into this cruel, militaristic milieu, Jesus not only preached that all are created and loved by God, he commanded his followers to “love your enemy.” And then when the time came, he did more than just teach the truth. He lived it. He willingly gave his own life to be consumed by the evil powers that oppressed his world.

Luke 23:33-34 “And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”

Never forget that this is not only a story.
Jesus really gave more than we could ever imagine; for obedience, for love, for joyful relationship, and to give us a future and a hope. Good Friday leads to Resurrection Sunday and eternal life with God!