Good Friday (Falaite
Lelei)
Falaite ‘Epeleli 2, 2021
righteousness and peace kiss each other
‘A Angatonu mo Melino kuo na fekita
For
Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what
we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever
since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and
resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul
considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was
buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what
God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).
The cross
is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness.
Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each
other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his
righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy,
and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of
God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our
salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and
arrested by the authorities (perhaps
after midnight, early Friday morning) (Matt. 26:47-56; Mark
14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)
Jesus has an informal hearing
before Annas (former high priest and
Caiaphas's father-in-law) (Matt. 26:57, 59-68; Mark
14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:63-71)
As predicted, Peter denies
Jesus and the rooster crows (Matt. 26:58, 69-75; Mark
14:54,66-72; Luke 22:54b-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27)
After sunrise on Friday the
final consultation of the full Sanhedrin condemns Jesus to death and sends him
to Pontius Pilate (Matt. 27:1-2; Mark 15:1).
Judas changes his mind,
returns the silver, and hangs himself (Matt. 27:3-10).
Pilate questions Jesus and
sends him to Herod Antipas (Matt. 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5;
Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38).
Herod questions Jesus and
sends him back to Pilate (Luke 23:8-12).
Jesus appears before Pilate a
second time and is condemned to die (Matt. 27:15-26; Mark
15:6-15;Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38b-19:16).
Jesus is mocked and marched to
Golgotha (Matt. 27:27-34; Mark
15:16-23; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17)
Jesus is crucified between two
thieves (Matt. 27:35-44; Mark
15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27)
Jesus breathes his last (Matt. 27:45-56; Mark
15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37)
Joseph of Arimathea buries
Jesus in a new tomb (Matt. 27:57-61; Mark
15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice so that I may have the opportunity to be with You in Heaven one day 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteWhat a bittersweet day to know that our sins will be forgiven but at the cost of someone life.
ReplyDeleteI love the "convergence of God's forgiveness and the great suffering". Jesus must have felt the same. He knew the reward was greater trade-off than his suffering.
Fakafeta'i mo fakamlo SISU ihe Ofa lahi day. I he ikai teke loto keu auha ihe afi, na'ake loto lelei ke hilifaki kiate koe a eku hia mo Angahala Ke tutuki ia mo koe ihe kolosi koeuhi keu moui.