READ
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:45-54
Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:45-54
REFLECT
Imagine for a moment that you’re at Jesus’ crucifixion. You see Jesus on the cross alongside two criminals who are also being crucified that day. You can hear the Roman soldiers hurling insults at Jesus. Some of the people around you are crying, some are laughing and insulting Jesus. What’s going through your mind as you watch all of this unfold in front of you?
Friday of Holy Week is known as “Good Friday.” That’s kind of a strange name because, on the surface, there’s nothing good about it. We call this Good Friday because this was the day that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. This was the day that Jesus endured the cross because He knew that His pain meant our freedom. He went to the cross with you on His mind.
Reflect on this thought today: Jesus was thinking about me on the cross.
Friday of Holy Week is known as “Good Friday.” That’s kind of a strange name because, on the surface, there’s nothing good about it. We call this Good Friday because this was the day that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. This was the day that Jesus endured the cross because He knew that His pain meant our freedom. He went to the cross with you on His mind.
Reflect on this thought today: Jesus was thinking about me on the cross.
RESPOND
How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus was thinking about you on the cross? Tell Jesus.
What do you need today? What are you grateful for today? Is there anything you need to get off your chest? Tell Jesus about it.
What do you need today? What are you grateful for today? Is there anything you need to get off your chest? Tell Jesus about it.