John Chapter 19

John 19. "Good Friday." A friend asked me this week why we call it Good Friday. Good Question. How can the day of Jesus' crucifixion be good? Historically it has been a day of mourning, fasting and prayer, which is appropriate for anyone who reads John 19 today. This is the story of the very worst day in human history: God came and walked among us; his friends betrayed and deserted him and his enemies killed him.

The very worst of human nature is laid out before us. The soldiers torture and taunt Jesus. Pilate takes an opportunity to snipe at the Jews by posting a 'King of the Jews' sign above Jesus' head, implying that the king of Israel was being killed by the Romans. The chief priests protest this, and in a sickening display, pledge allegiance to their arch enemy Caesar as a political ploy to assure that Jesus is killed. The only true King who has ever lived, the only one with a divine right to royalty, is mocked, tortured, betrayed and killed on this day. What's good about that?

What's good about it is that without this terrible day, we would not have forgiveness. Were it not for this horrible event, we would be estranged from God. Jesus suffered, not just physical torture, but mocking, hatred, disregard, betrayal, and above all else, the spiritual weight of our sin laid on his shoulders on the cross. It is the worst day and best day, our greatest shame and our only hope. A dark day? Yes. But it is truly Good Friday. Praise Jesus for Good Friday!

If you've been reading along, you'll recognize Nicodemus at the end of chapter 19. We've seen him twice before: coming to Jesus at night in chapter 3, and offering a weak advocacy for Jesus on the council in chapter 7. Here in chapter 19 he accompanies Joseph of Arimathea, another 'secret disciple' of Jesus, as they receive permission from Pilate to give Jesus a proper burial. During his life, these men were afraid to be associated with him, but upon his death they are moved to honor him in his burial. This is the beginning of Jesus' redemption of these men. All indications are that Joseph and Nicodemus became powerful leaders of the early church and outspoken followers of the risen Christ!