Good Friday
John 19:1-3 The Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face.
John 19:11 To Pilate: Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
John 19:17-18 So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two others-one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
The crowds had morphed from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him!” The masses had been deliberately riled up by the religious authority. They had a preconceived idea of entitlement and Jesus wasn’t coming through, so it was an easy step from praise to accusation. But what they didn’t know left a gaping hole between their knowledge, faith and social influence. Jesus was at work for them in the most earth shaking way!! He was about to reverse death’s final word. Notice that He never mentioned a word of judgement on the world, He only affirmed God’s authority over all the earth and His own faith in this providence. His love and grace truly were and still remain, amazing.
There were those in the following days who once again reversed their attitude from “Crucify Him” to “Hosanna” and Jesus was more that willing to receive them. He didn’t condemn, He loved. Devine Love did not fail then and it won’t now.