GOOD FRIDAY

When Jesus was arrested, most disciples abandoned Him and fled. After the crucifixion of Jesus, the remaining disciples, Mary Magdalene, and Mary mother of James went into hiding and waiting.

We can only imagine what was going through their minds. Their dearest friend and leader, Jesus the Christ, was humiliated, tortured, and brutally murdered – a gentle Man whose only crime was to preach love of God and neighbor. And He, himself, predicted that He must suffer and die at the hands of sinners. But why? Why did it have to be this way? He said that we were to eat his body and drink his blood? What did it all mean? Was it a cruel joke that Jesus had played on them? How could He be the Son of God? Was He even sane? Should they have done something to prevent this? But … He said that He would rise up again on the third day?

We can only imagine their horror, shock, confusion, grief, and pain. Their understandings, their hopes, their dreams, their entire world were now but a pile of burned and crumbling charcoal and ash. The two Marys were dashing around like mad women in search of the right herbs and spices with which to anoint the body of their Messiah.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Peace†