Written by: Web Team
Compassion is closed today to honor Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus Arrested
So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
— John 18:3-5 (NIV)
Jesus Before Pilate
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
— John 18:33-37 (NIV)
Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified
It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
— John 19:14-16 (NIV)
The Crucifixion
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others — one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
— John 19:17-18 (NIV)
The Death of Jesus
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
— John 19:28-30 (NIV)
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March 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I admit it: I have a hard time with Good Friday. I grew up in a tradition that generally did a broad jump from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. I later spent some years in a different tradition and really *experienced* the grief of Good Friday. But I don’t especially want to do that, every year! Particularly when we remember His death every time we take communion–which, for some of us, is every week.
And yet, I know that there can be no Easter celebration, without Good Friday. Sigh!
April 10th, 2009 at 2:24 am
I am so thankful Jesus went the distance!!!
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us!!!”
April 10th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
We watched The Passion of the Christ today in church, and my pastor quoted someone after the movie: “Yes, it is Friday, but we have Sunday to look forward to!”
We serve an awesome God!