Holy Week: Friday afternoon when Jesus died.

Father forgive them. (Luke 23:344) 

It took some time for Jesus to die—about six hours. That’s how the cross works. The Gospel writers don’t give details of how he died—“crucified” said it all. Instead, the Gospel writers take notice of what people said and did and what Jesus said and did that had a way of changing what, at least some of the people said and did.

1.      The two criminals, hanging on each side of Jesus, join the crowd in mocking Jesus; but when Jesus said, “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they do.” The heart of one of the two softened: “Jesus, remember me…” And Jesus did: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

2.      The Roman soldiers, also joined in the mockery; but as the day wore on, the officer in charged confessed, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

3.      Judas who betrayed him, became “remorseful and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying to them, ‘I have sinned.’”  Was Judas also forgiven?

 There were some practical matters to take care of as well. His mother, along with the other faithful women, remained at the foot of the cross through the whole ordeal. John stood by her side. From the cross, Jesus sees to it that his mother will be cared for: “Woman, behold your son” nodding towards John. Tradition has it that John did as Jesus said; He took care of Mary. You can find her tomb, I’m told, outside of Ephesus where John pastored while caring for Mary. How would you like to have Mary, the mother of our Lord, in your congregation?

By three o’clock that afternoon, Jesus cries out “It is finished! Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.” And then “breathed His last.” A couple of soldiers came by, noticed he was dead and one, just for good measure, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flood down from his side.