Day 6: The Death of Christ

Read

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. Luke 23:44–49

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

Read also Mark 15:33–39.

Reflect

Before we begin our reflections today, let us take a moment to pray to God and seek His voice to guide us and minister to us:

Good and gracious God,

grant us wisdom, understanding, and a greater appreciation

of Your love for us through Your Son

as we live in accordance with Your will and ways.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What’s so good about Good Friday? On this day, we remember how Jesus was crucified between two thieves and how He suffered a brutal beating, inhumane flogging, and naked humiliation. The sin of all humanity was put on the Son of God, leading to His suffering and death. How can one describe such a day as good?

On this day, we remember that the nails were not what kept Jesus on the cross. Rather, it was His obedience to the Father and His love for us. The moment Jesus took His last breath, the curtain that once separated us from God’s holy presence was torn in two, becoming now a doorway to an eternal relationship through His redemptive work.

As the crucifixion happened, we see people who witnessed this event respond differently:

• The centurion declared Jesus’ innocence and divine identity, proclaiming, “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Luke 23:47). The Gospel of Mark records that the centurion declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
• The crowds returned home beating their breasts, expressing grief and perhaps even repentance.
• Jesus’ acquaintances and the women who followed Him stood at a distance, recognizing the reality of His death.

“It is finished.” Far from a desperate cry or the satisfaction of suffering’s end, Christ's declaration signifies the completion of all He came to accomplish and the full payment for our redemption.

So, what’s so good about Good Friday? This is when God demonstrated the full extent of His grace and love for mankind by allowing His Son to endure suffering and to become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. At the cross, Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. We can never make ourselves right with God the way that Jesus did for us.

As we reflect on the day Jesus bore the weight of the cross, may we know and believe that we have been liberated from the need to endure the brutal beating, flogging, humiliation, and crucifixion He endured on our behalf. There is no longer a need to grapple with fear, guilt, and shame. Instead, all that is required is to place our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering and death are the means through which we receive grace, freedom, and new life.

Respond

• Have you trusted in the finished work of Christ for your salvation? What does Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross mean to you? How can His sacrificial death encourage you every day? Meditate on and respond to Ephesians 2:8–9.
• What in your life makes you feel fear, guilt, or shame? How does knowing Christ covered all these on the cross change the way you will live? Despite the suffering you may have experienced, take some time today to reflect on God’s goodness to you.
• Share the good news of the gospel of Jesus with your family and friends today. Tell them about His finished work on the cross and how He has worked in your life.