What is good about betrayal? A friend selling out his brother for some kind of selfish gain. What about execution, torture, mocking, abuse? You have watched televised violence, and wanted to turn your head. You’ve felt the knot in your stomach at the sight of someone hurling blows upon another who lies defenseless. And for some of you, the mere thought of blood spilled upon the ground causes a violent reflux reaction. What is good about rejection, lies and false testimony? Remember what it was like when your friend lied about you? Or your brother or sister said “it was you” when it really “was them!” That wasn’t good at all. What possible good can gossip, secret alliances, mob incited violence and hatred bring about?
None.
We would be crazy to think all of these things do anyone any good. You would be an utter outcast for thinking this leads to any human progress. No matter what your creed, philosophy or religion, something inside you knows this is no path to peace. Schools would shun you, your boss would fire you, your spouse would leave you and children would run from you If you lived your life as if this kind of treachery would bring you into social graces.
No, I would say there is nothing good about this at all.
That is, until we consider “Good Friday.”
The words of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 53, more than 700 years before Jesus…
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth…
10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
So if this is a day where we are reminded of treachery, rejection, unimaginable torture and execution, why then do we call this “good” Friday? For one reason, and one reason only. Christ went through all of that, not because he had sinned. But because we had sinned. He was betrayed by man because we betrayed our God. It may well have been me to lead the charge into the garden, lay a kiss on his cheek and walk off with my pockets full and my heart empty. All the ensuing punishment I would have duly deserved. However, the Gospel says this: The punishment He endured purchased our peace with God. His rejection is our acceptance!
Now I say there is nothing “good” about betrayal and violence with this exception. In Christ, it brought me freedom.
Thank you Jesus for suffering unthinkable evil and being brought down to death, so that I could enjoy the blessings of peace with God and be raised to Life forevermore!
That is very good.
