GOOD FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

Behold, your king.

Pontius Pilate was mocking Jesus when he said, “Behold, your king” (John 19:14). But as believers in Jesus, these words can move our hearts. So let’s look upon our King. Let’s turn our eyes and our hearts toward Jesus and behold him, bruised and beaten, crowned with thorns. Let’s take our place at the foot of the cross and offer him our thanks and praise.

“Humble King, I behold you, suffering in silence. You never cry out to defend yourself; you don’t respond in anger to your tormentors. You give your “back to those who beat” you; you do not hide your face “from insults and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6). You extend your hands to those who crucify you. You give yourself up freely for those who have rejected you. For me. Thank you for enduring mocking and cruelty at the hands of sinful men. I adore you, Jesus, my King.

“Merciful King, I behold you wounded, hanging upon a cross. Instead of a crown of gold, you wear a crown of thorns. Your precious blood flows down from your head, your hands, your feet. You are suffering unjustly, yet you pray, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Thank you for your mercy, O Lamb of God! You take away the sins of the world—even mine. You forgive me, even though I do not deserve it. I adore you, Jesus, my King.

“Triumphant King, I behold you, faithful to the end. No one takes your life from you—you have the power ‘to lay it down’ and the ‘power to take it up again’ (John 10:18). With your dying breath, you give us your Mother as our own (19:27). You proclaim, “It is finished” and hand over your spirit, trusting your Father to raise you up (19:30). Thank you, Jesus, for conquering death by your own death so that we might live. With the whole Church, I now sit in silent awe and wait in eager expectation for you to rise from the grave. I adore you, Jesus, my King.

“Jesus, my King, it is right to praise you! I adore you, Lord, for by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free.”

Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42