Daily Devotional - Good Friday
Read: Matthew 27:11-61
Once again, someone needs to ask Jesus who He is. “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus simply says: “You have said so.” Pilate knows what he is doing. He knows that Jesus is innocent, his wife even knew. However, Pilate was sitting on the judgement seat. As far as anyone in Israel was concerned, he was the ultimate authority. Pilate tries to release Barabbas, but the crowd will have nothing of it. All they can shout is: “Let Him be crucified!” Finally, unable to stand on his convictions, Pilate gives in to the crowd.
Then it begins. The soldiers strip Him, beat Him, mock Him, spit on Him, and strike Him. The torture was relentless. The humiliation was complete. But there was still more. They lead Him to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. There, the soliders, the people, and what seemed like the entire world, crucified Jesus. Even the sinners on either side of Jesus mocked Him.
Darkness - the ultimate sign that something was wrong. There is darkness over the entire land in the middle of the day. Jesus crying out in a loud voice, with His last breath quotes Psalm 22: My God! My God! Why have you forsaken Me? Then He yielded up His Spirit.
Light - the ultimate sign that something good has happened. Saints who had died were now awake! Finally, after an earthquake there were people who professed: “Truly this was the Son of God!” There were people who understood, but Jesus had to die in order for them to understand. If Jesus didn’t die, then our hope would be built on sinking sand.
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Amen.
Devocional Cotidiana - El Viernes de la Pasión
Otra vez, alguien pregunta de quien es Jesús. “Eres Tú el rey de los judíos?” Y Jesús sólo dice: “Tú lo dices.” Pilato sabe lo que hace. Él sabe que Jesús es inocente, aun su mujer lo sabe. Sin embargo Pilato se siente en el tribunal. Para los Israelitas a este tiempo de la historia, Pilato era la autoridad última. Intentó de liberar a Barrabás, pero el muchedumbre no quiere éso. Sólo gritan: “sea crucificado!” Finalmente, incapaz de realizar su creencia, Pilato se da por vencido al muchedumbre.
Entonces empieza. Los soldados Le desnudan, Le golpean, Le burlan, escupen en Él. La tortura era despiadado. La humillación era completo. Pero hubo más todavía. Le guía a Gólgota, el lugar de crucifixión. Allí, los soldados, la gente, y lo que le parece el mundo entero, crucificó a Jesús. Aun los pecadores por dos lados de Él le burlan.
La oscuridad - el señal último que algo era malo. Hay oscuridad sobre toda la tierra al mediodía. Jesús, gritando en voz alta, con su última respiración, cita Salmo 22: Dios Mío! Dios Mío, por qué me has desamparado? Y entonces entregó Su espíritu.
La luz - el señal último que algo bueno ha pasado. Los Santos quien han muerto, ahora son vivos! Finalmente, después de un terremoto, hubo personas que confesaba: “Verdaderamente éste era Hijo de Dios!” La gente entendía, pero Jesús tenía que morir para que entendieran. Si no muriera Jesús, entonces nuestra esperanza sería construido por arena hundimiento.
Profundo es el amor de Dios
Tan vasto y sin medida
Pues a su hijo entregó
A cambio de un perdido
Que gran dolor sobrellevó
De Dios sufrió el rechazo
Y las heridas sobre Él
Son para tantos gloria
He allí al hombre en la cruz
Mis faltas en sus hombros
Vergüenza siento al escuchar
Mi voz entre la turba
Por mí, pecado estuvo allí
Llevando todo a cabo
Su muerte me dio vida a mí
Ya todo es consumado
En nada he de gloriarme aquí
Alento fuerza o ciencia
Me gloriaré solo en Jesús
Pues él venció a la muerte
Por qué me da de Su favor
No puedo contestarlo
Pero algo sé de corazón
He sido rescatado.
Amén.