“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.”
Where were you on 9/11?
There are moments in history that change everything.
At the time, they may not look like much. To the people who witness them, they can even seem like defeat. But later, we come to see that everything turned on that moment.
Good Friday is one of those moments.
Jesus is led outside the city. He has been arrested, tried (unjustly), mocked, and beaten. Now He is nailed to a cross between two criminals. The crowds watch. Some mock Him. Others simply stand by, unsure of what to make of it all.
From the outside, it looks like the end.
But this is not a failure.
This is the very reason Jesus came.
Everything throughout this week has been leading to this moment. Every step toward Jerusalem, every word He spoke, every confrontation in the temple—all of it has been moving toward the cross.
Because here, Jesus does what no one else can do.
He takes the place of sinners, bears their sin, endures judgment, and suffers hell.
This is not just suffering. It is substitution.
Jesus is not dying for His own wrongdoing. He has none. He is dying for the sins of the world. He is carrying guilt that does not belong to Him so that forgiveness can be given to those who do not deserve it.
That includes you.
It is easy to think of the cross as something that happened long ago, something we observe from a distance. But Scripture brings it closer than that.
Jesus goes to the cross for you, for your forgiveness.
And even in the middle of His suffering, we see what He is accomplishing. He shows us right there on the cross.
This is not defeat. This is salvation.
When Jesus dies, it may look like everything has ended. But in reality, everything has been accomplished.
This, along with the resurrection, is the most significant moment in the history of all creation. Everything turns on Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is also the most significant moment for you. This moment, along with the moment you received it through faith, changed the eternal course of your life.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the cross of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His suffering and death, You have accomplished our salvation. Help us to see what He has done for us and to trust in the forgiveness He has won. Keep us in that faith and lead us to live in the hope of what He has accomplished.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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