Sermon

Three Men, Three Deaths

Luke 23:32-43

"Good Friday." What’s good about it? In mediaeval England it was called "God’s Friday." Said quickly (and perhaps thoughtlessly) "God’s Friday" became "‘Gd’ Friday." Really, was it ever God’s Friday? What did he ever do that day besides stand around uselessly? Surely it’s more accurate to speak of Pilate’s Friday. Because of this one Friday Pilate’s name will never be forgotten. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to speak of the crowd’s Friday. After all, the crowd triumphed, howling for Christ’s head until its bloodlust was satisfied.

In many respects there was nothing unique about this Friday. Pilate had executed many before it and would execute many after it. The crowd was neither better nor worse than any crowd in any era. The city, Jerusalem, Hier Shalem, city of peace (supposedly) was the city that had always slain the prophets. This Friday was no different.

None the less, Christians have always known that Good ...