Friday After Palm Sunday: The Cross, The Cost, and The Victory
Friday After Palm Sunday: The Cross, The Cost, and The Victory
The sky turned dark. The earth shook. The veil tore.
It was Friday.
Just five days after the crowd shouted “Hosanna,” those same voices cried “Crucify Him!”
The same people who laid down palm branches now turned their backs.
And Jesus—the Son of God—was led to the cross.
Good Friday isn’t “good” because it felt good. It’s good because of what it accomplished.
What Did Jesus Do on Friday?
He was crucified.
From early morning to late afternoon, Jesus endured physical agony, public shame, and spiritual weight.
1. Tried and Condemned (Luke 23:1–25)
Jesus stood before Pilate, silent in His defense.
Though innocent, He was sentenced to die—while a criminal named Barabbas went free.
A powerful exchange: the innocent for the guilty.
2. Mocked and Beaten (Matthew 27:27–31)
Roman soldiers beat Him, spit on Him, and placed a crown of thorns on His head.
They mocked, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
But He didn’t resist.
3. Carried the Cross (John 19:17)
Weakened by torture, Jesus carried His own cross toward Golgotha—the Place of the Skull.
Simon of Cyrene was pulled from the crowd to help.
4. Crucified (Luke 23:33–49)
Nailed to the cross between two criminals, Jesus hung for hours.
He spoke words of forgiveness and surrender.
“Father, forgive them…”
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
“It is finished.”
At 3 p.m., He breathed His last.
What Was Jesus Thinking?
Jesus was thinking of you.
“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2)
He wasn’t just dying for people—He was dying in their place.
He bore the wrath we deserved.
He took the punishment we earned.
He drank the cup of God’s judgment so we could drink the cup of grace.
And though He was fully God, He felt the full weight of human pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
He felt alone, so we would never have to be.
How Did the Disciples Feel?
Shattered. Scattered. Shocked.
The night before, Peter had denied Him.
Now, he and the rest were hiding.
Fear gripped them.
Grief overwhelmed them.
Confusion clouded their understanding.
This wasn’t how they imagined the story ending. The Messiah wasn’t supposed to die—at least, not like this.
Only John remained near the cross, standing beside Mary. The rest fled.
It felt like the dream had died.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Friday reminds us that sin has a cost, but love paid it in full.
Every lie, every failure, every act of rebellion was nailed to the cross with Jesus.
The wrath of God was satisfied.
The door to heaven was opened.
But we must not rush past Friday too quickly. We must sit in the sorrow to fully grasp the weight of grace.
Ask yourself:
Have I accepted what Jesus did for me?
Am I living in response to His sacrifice?
Do I trust Him—even when the outcome looks bleak?
Final Thought
The cross wasn’t the end, but on Friday, it looked like it.
He was betrayed, mocked, beaten, crucified… and buried.
But as the old saying goes:
“It’s Friday… but Sunday is coming.”
Let the silence of Friday stir your heart.
Let the sacrifice of Jesus humble you.
Let the love on display change you.
Because on Friday… He died to make you free.