Daily Scripture

Then he [Pilate] handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19.16, 17 & 28—30)

Daily Reflection

We have made it - in our Lenten and Holy Week journey - to Good Friday. Today we hear simple, dreadful and powerful, evocative words: “They crucified him”, “It is finished”, and “He gave up his spirit.” Jesus walks to his crucifixion carrying his own cross. Jesus lays on the wooden cross. He has nails driven through him. The cross is lifted; he hangs there, in pain, struggling for every breath; and he finally dies.

So why is this Good Friday?

Jesus went to the cross willingly for you. Jesus gave up his spirit for you. No death; no resurrection. No resurrection; no hope, no salvation. No life. Today, take a few minutes to remember that Jesus did something good for you….. something very good. He did it, willingly, out of love.

Revd David