Good Friday - Hope Week 2025
The Death of Jesus
“And I will pour out...a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy,
so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have
pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only
child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”
- Zechariah 12:10
Good Friday is a complicated day because we sit with the knowledge that this is not the end. We know that Sunday is coming, but that fateful Friday long ago would have felt anything but good. The disciples who had followed Jesus, serving beside Him as He brought life and healing, were now watching as He hung on a cross, dying. I can only imagine the confusion and despair they must have experienced.
This was a dark day for His followers. One marked with questions like:
• Was Jesus really the Messiah?
• How could He raise Lazarus but not save Himself ?
• Are they coming for me next?
• How could this be the end?
At the same time, they probably also marveled at Jesus’ responses to what was happening. When His accusers came, He responded in meekness, controlling His strength. When He
was put on trial, He responded in humility. When He was beaten, He offered compassion rather than resistance. When He took His last breath, He offered forgiveness.
As we reflect on Jesus and His cross today, I encourage you to respond as His disciples did. Sit in the sadness of the moment and don’t rush past the fact that our Savior chose to sacrifice on our behalf. Marvel at the magnitude of His mercy in the face of His accusers. Rejoice, knowing what lies beyond the cross: our salvation, our redemption and a renewed relationship with God.
so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have
pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only
child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”
- Zechariah 12:10
Good Friday is a complicated day because we sit with the knowledge that this is not the end. We know that Sunday is coming, but that fateful Friday long ago would have felt anything but good. The disciples who had followed Jesus, serving beside Him as He brought life and healing, were now watching as He hung on a cross, dying. I can only imagine the confusion and despair they must have experienced.
This was a dark day for His followers. One marked with questions like:
• Was Jesus really the Messiah?
• How could He raise Lazarus but not save Himself ?
• Are they coming for me next?
• How could this be the end?
At the same time, they probably also marveled at Jesus’ responses to what was happening. When His accusers came, He responded in meekness, controlling His strength. When He
was put on trial, He responded in humility. When He was beaten, He offered compassion rather than resistance. When He took His last breath, He offered forgiveness.
As we reflect on Jesus and His cross today, I encourage you to respond as His disciples did. Sit in the sadness of the moment and don’t rush past the fact that our Savior chose to sacrifice on our behalf. Marvel at the magnitude of His mercy in the face of His accusers. Rejoice, knowing what lies beyond the cross: our salvation, our redemption and a renewed relationship with God.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think it's important to "sit in the sadness" of Good Friday rather than rushing ahead to the joy of Easter Sunday?
2. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus chose to endure the cross, even knowing the pain and rejection He would face?
3. How can we reflect the same kind of grace and forgiveness Jesus showed on the cross in our own relationships?
2. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus chose to endure the cross, even knowing the pain and rejection He would face?
3. How can we reflect the same kind of grace and forgiveness Jesus showed on the cross in our own relationships?
Posted in Hope Week 2025
Posted in Hope Week, Good Friday, Zechariah, Jesus, Cross, Death, Mercy, Despair
Posted in Hope Week, Good Friday, Zechariah, Jesus, Cross, Death, Mercy, Despair
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