Good Friday, Holy Sunday

"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:24)

It's Good Friday and I am quietly sitting at my desk at work waiting for 12:30pm. We're only here a half day today. When I think about good Friday, it always makes me a little sad. Sad because I know what Jesus had to endure in order to even get to the cross, let alone be nailed to it, and die on it. The whole time, he was being jeered at, made fun on, spat on, pushed, shoved, names and insults being hurled at him. Someone thought they were being funny, and fashioned a crown on thorns for his head, since he was the King of the Jews.

This is depicted a lot in religious paintings, books, and movies as a ring that is placed atop his head, but in all actuality, it was more like a helmet. The thorns they used came from a viney-like plant that grew in a tangled mess of vine and thorns. Big thorns. Some as big as 3 and 4 inches. Sharp too. Sharp enough that if you weren't paying close attention, you would easily draw blood by the slightest prick of your finger. I am sure that whomever fashioned the nest like helmet of thorns probably walked away scratched up himself and when they put it on Jesus's head, they didn't set it atop his head, they rammed it on top of his head so it dug in and stayed there. Then, they brought out the "King's Robe" they had made for him. In order to get it on him, they had to remove the crown, ripping more flesh from his head, and putting the robe on his freshly lashed skin, only to ram it back onto his head again.

How awful.

Yet he did it for you. Think about that. If God had said, "Jesus, I want you to go to Earth, go through all of this suffering, die on a cross like a common thief, go to hell and suffer for three days before you can come back to me. I want you to do it for [ Insert Your Name Here ] and only them. Do it for Joy. Only Joy because I want her for my kingdom and her sins are too great to allow her in otherwise. Please take her place for her" He STILL would have done it.

Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

And we don't, do we?

When we lie. Even little ones. When we steal. Even just a grape in the supermarket. When we refuse to extend the grace to others that our Father has shown us, whether it's screaming at the a-hole who cut you off in traffic, or forgiving a parent or a family member of something more serious. We re-crucify Jesus with our sin. Stop and think about that...

Many have come, Many have gone, but there is only one true Lord and Savior. Jesus The Christ. He was born of a virgin, crucified on a cross for the sins of the world, and luckily for us, He rose again on the 3rd day.

May you enjoy this holiest of Holy weekends with your loved ones. Celebrate the sacrifice, and rejoice in the Grace!

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46)

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30)