Good Friday

Isaiah 53 beautifully portrays the role of Jesus as the suffering servant. Isaiah says that there was nothing beautiful and majestic about the suffering servant’s appearance. The servant was despised and rejected. He was a man of sorrow, acquainted with the bitterest of grief. No one really cared for him. They all turned their backs to him. Yet he was weighed down because of our weaknesses. We misunderstood, and thought his punishment was for his own sins. He was wounded for our sins and beaten so that we may have peace. We have, as lost sheep, strayed away from the path set for us by God. But the servant was led like a lamb to be slaughtered. He went silently. He did no harm, but he was dying for all of our sins. He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man's grave. It is hard to foresee this prophesy about Jesus that was made nearly 700 years before his crucifixion.

Jesus was taken for questioning by Caiaphas the high priest. They tried to make false charges at him. But none could hold any serious charge. Finally they twisted one of Jesus' statements that he would destroy the temple and build it in 3 days. When Jesus remained silent to all charges leveled against him, Caiphas rebuked him. Infuriated he tried to incite the crowd by asking, if Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. To this Jesus calmly accepted that statement, and said that soon he will see him in the seat of power at God's right hand and return in glory in the clouds. Caiaphas exploded and screamed, 'blasphemy' and the frenzied crowds in unison cried that Jesus was guilty and that he must die. Forgotten were the times he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even hailed as king just a week back by the same mob that now was thirsty for his blood. In all the discombobulation, Jesus remained calm. He was prepared for the verdict and his sentence to death.

Meanwhile Peter was confronted by a servant girl, later another servant girl and finally a bystander who all asked him separately if he knew Jesus. Peter vehemently denied any association with Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. It was then that he remembered what Jesus had told him. He went away from there and wept bitterly. Can you imagine the guilt Peter would have felt when he denied Jesus? It came very close to Judas' betrayal. Have you felt that way in your Christian walk? There are countless times we stumble and fall. But Christ is always there to pick us up. Just as he did with Peter. All Jesus told Peter was that when he had repented he was to be a source of strength and support to the other disciples. That is what Christ is calling us to do. When we are strong we should strengthen those who are weak.

Then brutal Caiaphas and the other blood thirsty accusers took Jesus to Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus said he was. But when the leading priests and other leaders made trumped up accusations at him, he remained silent. Pilate was awestruck and asked Jesus if he had anything to say. He remained silent. Pilate tried to release Jesus as it was customary during Passover to release one prisoner. But the verdict of the people was final - they wanted him crucified. Again the courage and strength of Jesus was greatly to be admired. He kept silent and did not in any way see the need to defend himself.

Pilate ordered him to be flogged with a lead tipped whip, and then to be crucified. The soldiers took him away and whipped him, mocked him and led him away to be crucified. It is hard to imagine the control Jesus had over himself, to keep silent and not plead for mercy. To accept the punishment that in no way he deserved. He realized that this was the course he was to take. To sacrifice his life into the hands of a wicked generation that had rejected him. To play the role of a servant of God, falsely accused and being sentenced to death. To overcome evil with good. To be the source of inspiration to the millions of Christians who would willingly lay down their lives to build a non-violent and peaceful society that believes in the Triune God. A society that loves justice believes in mercy and walks humbly with the living God.