The Bad of Good Friday

Nearly a month has passed since we have collectively remembered Good Friday, the worst day in human history . . . the day on which Christ was crucified.

Surely many Christians watched the Passion of Christ to have a somewhat visual recollection of the torture Jesus physically experienced on our behalf. Many others heard sermons that gave a cursory view of the account. And then there were those that sat in quiet, prayerful contemplation of His sacrifice.

But undoubtedly for many, the challenges of everyday life have gained momentum, slowly pushing the “bad” of “Good” Friday further and further from our minds. It is not that we have forgotten, but the sharpness of those images has dulled with time. Though the ultimate result of the crucifixion served as the “Good” of that solemn day two thousand years ago, let not the sting of the “bad” fade so quickly from our minds or hearts.

The Bad . . .

Let us not forget . . . the whip, equipped with small iron balls and sharp pieces of sheep bone, which (likely two) Roman soldiers used to scourge Jesus’ body.

Let us not forget . . . as Jesus’ hands were tied to a post above His head, the Roman soldiers took turns severely thrashing His body. Jewish law prohibited more than forty lashes. It is unlikely the Romans followed such customs in this case.

Let us not forget . . . as the force of the whip initially only cut through Jesus’ skin on His shoulders, back, legs, buttocks, etc., eventually the blows would cut into the tissue, bursting capillaries, veins, and ultimately causing arterial bleeding from the muscles. At this point, Jesus’ skin would resemble ribbons, as the severe, repeated tearing continued. When He was near death, the thrashing would stop.

Let us not forget . . . the Roman soldiers sought to mock Jesus as well. They fashioned Him as a “king,” throwing a robe over His shoulders, placing a stick in His hand, and creating a crown of thorns which were pressed into His scalp. Continuing their harsh jeering, they strike Him in the face, take the stick from Jesus’ hand, and hit the “crown,” pushing the thorns further and further into His scalp. The soldiers end their satirical torture by ripping the robe from His back. The fiber of the robe had begun to adhere to His wounds, and the ripping of it from His back would reopen the wounds, causing an incredible amount of pain.

Let us not forget . . . after enduring all of that, the heavy patibulum (cross beam) was tied to His shoulders as He began the 650 yard trek to Golgotha. The beam, coupled with the beating He underwent, was too much and Jesus fell. Simon of Cyrene, a North African spectator, was chosen to assist Jesus in carrying the cross.

Let us not forget . . . as the crucifixion commenced, Jesus was offered a mix of wine and Myrrh, a mild painkiller, but refused. He was placed (or quite possibly thrown) backward onto the cross. A long, iron nail was driven through both of His wrists (not hands). The patibulum was lifted into place, and the sign displaying “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” written in three languages, was nailed into place above Him. His left foot was placed backwards against the right, and a nail was driven through the arches of both feet, leaving the knees bent. As His weight bore down on the nails in His wrists causing immense pain, naturally, Jesus would push up to avoid the pain in His wrist. The unending torture, though, continued, as the pushing up on the nail in His feet caused tearing of the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.

Let us not forget . . . the other medical things going on. Cramps in Jesus’ muscles causing disabling pain, making even the pushing up a difficult task. Partial asphyxiation, the continued tearing of His already severely lacerated back as He pushes up and down on the cross, and many more unconscionable painful results of the crucifixion.

Let us not forget . . . after hours of this immeasurable agony, He uttered, “Father, into thy hands I commit My spirit,” (Luke 23:46) and died. The usual tradition was for the legionnaire to break the crucified persons legs, disabling them from pushing up for air, and ultimately causing them to die of suffocation. Jesus had already died, so instead, He was pierced by a spear to ensure He was dead and a mix of blood and water flowed out.

The Good . . .

When Abraham walked over to the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac, I wonder what was going through his mind. He had waited so long for his promised son . . . and now he was being told to sacrifice him. As a father, I wonder if Abraham considered not going through with this, even if it were only for a second. That maybe he walked a little slower, saddled the donkey up a bit more leisurely than usual, and maybe as he cut the wood for the burnt offering, a few days earlier, his swings were a bit less mighty. I wonder if Abraham's eyes welled up with tears when his beloved son, Issac, said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Isaac had no idea that he was the lamb. But when it was time for the sacrifice, God stopped Him. God (figuratively) pulled back the knife, saving Abraham's son. Instead, God said, "I will provide."

Two thousand years ago, God kept that promise. This time, He would not pull back the knife even to save His own Son. He allowed Jesus to be pierced, to be tortured, and to be the sacrificial Lamb for His sheep. He allowed His Son to die the death of a common criminal. He who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). God did as He said He would . . . He "provided."

And that, friends, is the Good. He provided a way out of the fatal clutches of sin. He provided redemption. He provided forgiveness. He provided justice. He provided love. He provided all this and more, for those who would place their faith solely in Him. He laid down His life for us. Have you TRULY laid down yours for Him? If not, why not?

For the seeker, I pray you continue to learn about Jesus Christ and the truths of the Holy Bible. In Him, all truths can be found. For the Christian, I hope and pray that you remember in detail His sacrifice for us. Serve Him with feverish devotion and continue to trust in Him. 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God . . .” (1 Peter 3:18)

God bless, beloved . . .

*Much of the medical information is adapted from the work of Dr. C. Truman Davis. http://www.cbn.com/SpiritualLife/OnlineDiscipleship/easter/A_Physician's_View_of_the_Crucifixion_of_Jesus_Christ.aspx. Retrieved on May 4, 2014