Daily ScriptureThe Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. (John 2 18-22)Daily ReflectionHoly Saturday is a strange day, poised between death and life, crucifixion and resurrection, between destruction and rebuilding. It is a day which calls for faith, to ‘believe the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken’. Today is a day for thankfulness for the perfect self-sacrifice of Christ, for the assurance of God’s presence among us in him, and for patience and trust as we wait for his resurrection on that long-anticipated day when all things will be brought together in Christ. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily ScriptureThen 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 ReflectionWe 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
Daily ScripturePilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.' (Luke 23.13-14)Daily ReflectionRoman officials like Pilate had the power and the duty to exercise summary justice when accusers brought an alleged criminal before them. This power was open, of course, to abuse, but it was generally practised responsibly. Pilate, a man well capable of harsh and provocative decisions, was not in sympathy with the baying mob of Judaeans who were ganging up on Jesus and gave his reasoned verdict – not guilty. Pilate was intimidated to override his conscience. The power of group think, the prejudice of invested interests can lead to terrible injustice. David Harmsworth
