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Achievement!

Initially this ‘first’ Friday seemed to be anything but good.  Evil and death appeared to have triumphed and hope was lost when Jesus (who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah) was beaten and then executed on the cross!  But only a few days later the outcome totally changed! Jesus did exactly what He came to do.  Because of His life and death, Jesus became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins!  “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (I Corinthians 5:21).  “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:9-10). 

As described in Mark 15:22-24 “When Jesus was brought to Golgotha they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it, and they crucified him.”  This mixture was in essence a drug to make it easier to drive the nails through the hands and feet of those being crucified. However, Jesus refused, because He willingly accepted our penalty (for sin) laying down His life for ours.  

Christ’s death was designed by the Romans to be the most shameful and humiliating form of execution imaginable, aimed at stripping a person of all dignity.  Gathered around the foot of the cross were a large number of individuals and groups.  Roman soldiers, priests, scribes, bystanders and those passing by in one way or another mocked and insulted him as stated in Mark 15:29-31.  “Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him… save Yourself and come down from the cross.  In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves… He saved others, He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe! Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.”  

After Jesus took his last breath, those who hated him dispersed, leaving only a small group of people who loved Him. One of those people still standing at the foot of the cross really stands out because given his position, a centurion would be the last person one would expect to be present.  Centurions were charged with carrying out crucifixions!  Yet this centurion who had overseen Jesus’s crucifixion realized His execution was a mistake stating: “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39)!  Throughout Jesus’ brutal beating and execution the centurion had taken notice that Jesus’ demeanor and actions were unlike anything he had never seen before… such dignity, nobility and a force of personality that transcended all others who had faced the same manner of death! 

Notice that the centurion speaks in the past tense in verse 39. There is no hope here, no glimmer of redemption or resurrection, only a sense of incalculable loss!  The centurion knows that an awful injustice had been committed and it cannot be undone!  He does not understand what this event means to his life or to his soul!!  Not unlike many in this world!

A couple of days later, “He is risen!” is heard.  Mark 16:5-7 describes the scene: “As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  Don’t be alarmed, he said.  You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified, He is risen!  He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him, just as He told you.”  Paul later writes: “He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time… and last of all... He appeared to me also.” (I Corinthians 15:5-6,8).  

The resurrection of Christ proved Jesus’ claims that He is the Son of God and the Messiah.  It shows that His teachings are true and that He was not just a prophet but God in human form who conquered sin once and for all!  This truth makes this Friday – GOOD FRIDAY!

KNOW that it’s never enough to state: “Jesus is the Son of God” as the centurion did.  We must go further, making it personal.  God knows our hearts and desires all to follow Him.  That said, perhaps it’s time to say: “Jesus I need You, thank You for the sacrifice You made on my behalf! Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.  I willing surrender control of life to You and You alone.  I look forward to how You will transform my life going forward!”

 An MCHA Stop~n~Think - 04.03.2026 - Courtesy of  MCHA Ministry Coordinator Tim Chastain