Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
As Christians begin celebrating the most important day on their calendar, today is a good day to reflect on the important moments that took place on Good Friday, leading to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of all mankind.
12 a.m. - The day is marked first by betrayal, as Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by Roman soldiers after being identified with a kiss from Judas.
1 a.m. - Jesus is questioned by Annas, a former high priest, who then sends him for further questioning to the present high priest, Caiaphas.
3 a.m. - Facing false witnesses in a sham trial. Jesus remains quiet before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He later acknowledges that He is the Son of God, causing hysteria among his accusers.
5 a.m. - Peter is identified as a follower of Jesus while standing in the courtyard. He denies knowing Christ three times.
6 a.m. - Peter flees the courtyard, weeping bitterly. In remorse, Judas hangs himself.
6:45 - 7:30 a.m. - Pilate questions Jesus, who says very little. Stumped, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, ruler of Galilee, whose questioning is equally fruitless. He sends Jesus back to Pilate.
8:30 a.m. - Pilate declares that he finds no fault in Jesus. His wife further warns him to have nothing to do with this innocent man. Pilate makes three attempts to release Jesus.
9 a.m. - Pilate releases Barabbas, and the mob continues to clamor for the crucifixion of Jesus.
10 a.m. - Pilate finally gives in to the crowd’s demands and condemns Jesus to death, but not before publicly washing his hands, saying he is innocent of Jesus’ blood.
10:15 - 11 a.m. - Jesus is led to Golgotha, stripped of his garments and crucified between two thieves.
12 p.m. - Though it is the middle of the day, darkness falls over the land for three hours.
3 p.m. - Jesus cries out, “It is finished. Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” The veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom while the earth shakes, and resurrected believers are seen throughout the city.
4:30 - 5 p.m. - Joseph of Arimathea gains permission to take the body of Jesus and hastily wraps the body of Jesus, and places Him in a nearby tomb.
7 p.m. - As the sun sets, the chief priests congratulate themselves for eliminating the “threat” of Jesus to their rule and religious system.
The above timeline reveals one thing in crystal-clear fashion. God was always in control, dictating the events that would lead His innocent Son to give His life as a ransom for all of us who have been hopelessly blinded by sin’s deceits.
Nothing makes it more clear that Jesus was directing the events of Good Friday than when He identified Himself to the soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and they fell backwards due to the power inherent in His words (John 18:6-7).
What makes this gruesome day of suffering a Good Friday begins to take shape as darkness envelops the earth after the crucifixion. The splitting of the temple’s veil proclaimed to the world that the Lord has indeed “left the building” of Old Testament restraints. His presence was now available to all who would seek Him, and salvation was now freely offered to as many who would call upon the name of the Lord in repentance.
This great hope was solidified as Jesus demonstrated His power over death as he rose three days later, unleashing the Holy Spirit to convict, convince and free hearts everywhere. Truly, Friday was good because Sunday was coming!