Good Friday - Crucifixion and Death of Jesus - Holy Week Devotion Day 6

On this Good Friday, we reflect on a Savior whose silence spoke louder than any defense—and whose death brought life. 

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world submitted Himself to the cross to save humanity from their sin. In doing so He fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53 about the atoning suffering and victory of the Messiah. 

"He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:3-6)

That prophecy came alive in heartbreaking clarity as Roman soldiers mocked and brutalized the Savior of the world. They jeered, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' as they struck Him with their hands (John 19:3). What they didn’t realize was that the very One they tormented was bearing their punishment. Jesus endured the scourging, the spitting, the stripping, and the shame—for their salvation, and ours. 

While in captivity, Jesus did not defend His innocence but instead He surrendered it, laying down His perfect life in divine submission.

In awe of Jesus’ silence, Pilate tried to urge Him to speak. “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You and power to release You?” (John 19:10) In other words, Pilate was trying to express that Jesus' life was in Pilate's hands. In the following verse, Jesus corrected Pilate with these words: “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11)

As the crowds shouted for Him to be crucified, He remained silent. He allowed Himself to be accused so we could walk away blameless. This was a continuation of the fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 53, 

"And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7)

While on the cross, Jesus was mocked by the chief priests and surrounding people.They were ignorant to the fact that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost - and that included them. In all of this questioning and mocking - Jesus said very few words until He cried out, “It is finished!”   

Christ’s silence purchased our freedom. But He didn’t set us free to live for ourselves - He freed us to follow Him. In Luke 9:23–24, Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

The cross isn’t only a moment in history; it’s the pattern of our lives as believers. We each need a personal connection and commitment to the cross. As we remember Christ's silent sacrifice, may we not remain silent in response. Let His cross shape how we live, love, and follow daily.

Reading Guide

• Isaiah 53

• Matthew 27:1-61

• John 19

• Luke 9:22-24

• Acts 2:22-42

Reflection Questions 

1. According to Acts 2:22-42 , how should we respond to the crucifixion of Jesus?

2. In response to Luke 9:22-24, what does it look like for you to carry your cross daily?

3. When you consider the cost of your salvation, how does it affect the way you live, serve, or forgive others?

Prayer Focus 

Jesus, it’s hard to express my gratitude for what You endured on the cross for me. Help me to never become desensitized to the suffering You endured on my behalf. Awaken me to the reality that it was out of Your love for me that You died for me.

Tatiana Wheeler