GOOD FRIDAY: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Then [Pilate] delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha… John 19:16-17

What happened: Later on Thursday night Jesus was put on trial. He was tried twice before the Jewish religious leaders, once by Pilate, once by Herod, and a second time by Pilate. Though His prosecutors arrived at their verdicts differently, the sentence was the same. Though innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever, Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion.

On Friday Jesus was crucified. Though the Jewish religionists insisted Jesus be crucified, and though the Roman civil authorities carried out the crucifixion, neither the Jews nor the Romans killed Jesus. Rather, Jesus laid down His life so He could take it up again (John 10:17-18), when He rose from the dead on Sunday.

Key thoughts: Jesus was not a victim. As King of kings and Lord of lords, He was in absolute control of everything that transpired. He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The means by which He accomplished this fete included every detail of His passion, death and resurrection.

Application: Two things:

(1) Jesus secured salvation for His people. His people receive salvation by trusting that what Jesus did is the only way to God and Heaven. Have you trusted Christ and repented of your sins? If so, your sins are forgiven! If not, won’t you trust Him today?

(2) Just as Jesus was in control of every horrific detail of His crucifixion, He is likewise in control of every detail of our lives. Whether life is going smoothly or life is in seeming disarray, Jesus is in control and we can trust Him that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).