Why Is The Murder Of Jesus Called Good Friday?预览

Who killed Jesus? 

  Historically, the primary responsibility for the death of Jesus has been placed on the Jewish leadership and the Jews in Jerusalem. But more recent trends in scholarship have shifted the blame to the Romans as well as Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Israel who sentenced Jesus to death, even though he knew that the evidence against Him was false can definitely be held responsible.  

The Jewish leaders and people of Israel can be held responsible, because we read in Acts 2:22-23 and 4:10, Peter accusing his own people as a nation of condemning Jesus to death. In Matthew 27:25 we find that the people answered “Let His blood be on us and on our children.”

All four gospels suggest either implicitly or explicitly that because the Jews were not allowed to pass the death sentence on other Jews who were guilty of blasphemy, they had to prevail on the reluctant Romans to kill Jesus citing treason as a reason..

But the Bible also says that it was the will of God the Father that Jesus pay the price for the sin of the world. In Acts 2:23 Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost said “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.”

Also in Mark 14:35-36 Jesus praying to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane said “Abba Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will but what You will” Isaiah 53:10 also makes it clear that “it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer”

Having said all this, the Bible also makes it clear that Jesus was not a helpless “victim”. He willingly laid down His life John 10:14-18.

If it is clear that Jesus died on the cross for the sin of the whole world, then we must realize that it was not the Jews or the Romans, but that it was our sin that crucified Jesus. It was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. We are guilty, and Jesus was paying the price for our sin.

Jesus died on the cross. His death was a sacrifice for the sin of the world. The wonderful part of the story is that death could not hold Him down. He rose from the grave. And, praise God, there is forgiveness of sin, for Jew and Gentile, for everyone who turns to Him and who believes in Him and who calls on His name.

Quote: 

“Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don’t really understand the nature and depth of your sin or the necessity of the cross.” ― C.J. Mahaney

Prayer: 

Lord, I thank You for sending Jesus to take my place on the cross. I cannot save myself. Thank You that You sent a Savior. Amen