Friday; April 19
How could anything good come from that Friday? It began Thursday night when a posse came into the garden where Jesus had been praying with His disciples and arrested Him. From there they took Him through a series of trials filled with trumped-up charges, ill-prepared prosecutors and lying witnesses. The night was capped off by political posturing, deal-making and mob rule. By the time Friday morning came, Jesus was on His way to the cross. The Messiah and Lord would spend several hours exposed to pain and ridicule, then finally and mercifully, He was allowed to give up His life and accept the peace that came with death. So, in light of all that happened on the Friday, what good was it? Well, the answer seems to come, “... when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30). You see, at this moment the sacrifice had been completed and mankind’s hope had been restored. Yes, it would take a couple of days f