"...but they kept on calling out, saying 'Crucify, crucify, Him!' And he [Pontius Pilate] said to them the third time, 'Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him.' But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail" (Luke 23:21-23).
What law did Jesus break that He should be put to death? Pontius Pilate examined Him in light of Roman law and found Him innocent. The chief priests and scribes knew that Jesus was innocent, so much so that they brought in false witnesses lie about Jesus in court. If ever a man was innocent, humanly speaking, it was Jesus of Nazareth -the only-begotten Son of God.
So what killed Jesus on Good Friday? St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 5:21), "He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." You killed Him, I killed Him, every human being killed Him. In His divine wisdom, God just used the hands and hearts of the religious leaders and the Romans to accomplish the salvation of mankind.
The great exchange is made for you: Jesus became your sin, so that you might become the righteousness of God. Innocent turned guilty and guilty turned innocent, all in Jesus Christ. That is the meaning of Good Friday.
This devotion is getting longer by the minute, but I'd like to share another of my favorite Lenten hymns that speaks clearly of our dearest Jesus and His work on that long ago Friday ...and before you ask, ..Yes, we do sing all 15 verses in worship service! How can we not!
-Dale
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"O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647
1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession, --
What dark transgression?
2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.
3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.
4. What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.
5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted, --
God is committed.
6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin's poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.
7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.
8. O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?
9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder, --
Thy woes, Thy mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?
10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate'er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.
11. But since my strength will nevermore suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12. I'll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth's vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.
13. Whate'er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I'll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love's sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.
15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.
