"Good" Friday

Overwhelmed with sorrow, distressed and troubled; He knelt in prayer.  Yet, He found no comfort or support in his friends.

 - "are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." - Mark 14:37b

Betrayed by one who had walked beside Him for all of His ministry.

- Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them; "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said "Rabbi!" and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him. - Mark 14:44-46

Deserted and alone.

-Then everyone deserted him and fled. - Mark 14:50

Seated in a court of liars, spouting falsities, ruled by unjust judges plotting his death

- The chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him... - Mark 14:55-56

Spit on, blindfolded, punched, mocked, and beaten.

- Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, stuck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. - Mark 14:65

Disowned by his friend.

- He [Peter] began to all down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I do not know this man you are talking about." - Mark 14:71

Flogged, struck, and mocked.

-He [Pilate] had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified....They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him "Hail, king of the Jews!"  Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his clothes on him.  Then they lead him out to crucify him. - Mark 15:15-20

Nails pounded through his wrist and feet, Hung on a tree- shaped as a cross, crucified with thieves.

-And they crucified him...They crucified two robbers with him -Mark 15:24,26

Death.

-With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. - Mark 15:37

I find little no "good" in the above events.  I can not imagine a day so full of pain, desertion, embarrassment, turmoil, and temptation.  And yet he endured it.  There is a hopelessness and a void that comes with death; the broken heart of his mother, the despair of his friends and disciples who did not understand his words spoken only hours ago- predicting that death would not be the end.  -"In a little while you will see me no more, and then in a little while you will see me..I tell you the truth you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but your grief will turn to joy...I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - John 16:17,20,22 

And there in lies the good.  A promise of hope, a guarantee of victory, everlasting joy.

Father this day I remember the death of Jesus, your atoning sacrifice, who made a way for me.  Me, a sinner; I am a member of the crowd screaming "crucify him," I am a soldier who spit on him, I am a witness who lied about him.  I am unworthy.  May the words of his pain, and his endurance pierce my heart.  I am humbled, and I am grateful.  Your love for me is unfathomable.