Good Friday

     Normally, this would be the day when I post the Weekend Sermon.  However, during Holy Week, we have a different schedule.  Today, I want us to reflect on Good Friday.  Tomorrow, I will post the Weekend Sermon on the theme of Easter.
     Good Friday is the day when Jesus died on the cross in order to save us from our sins.  The Bible says that Jesus bore our sins in His body while He was on the cross.  He died to take away our sins and provide us with forgiveness.
     Today, I want to focus on the trials that Jesus had before He was crucified.  About two weeks ago, A minister that I listen to on the Internet spoke about the trials of Jesus.  He mentioned the fact that it wasn't really Jesus who was on trial, it was  humanity that was on trial.  I thought that this was very interesting.
     One of the trials that Jesus faced was before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin.  It wasn't really a trial.  False witnesses were brought forth, and the verdict was a forgone conclusion.  The religious authorities despised Jesus from the outset of His ministry, and they wanted to get rid of Him as soon as possible.
     Jesus was brought to Pilate.  Pilate questioned Jesus, and he could find no fault in Him.  Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to see what he would do with Jesus.  When Jesus was before Herod, Jesus was mocked by Herod and his soldiers.
     Jesus was sent back to Pilate.  Pilate had Jesus scourged and a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head.  Pilate gave the people a choice.  Jesus could be set free or Barabbas.  The people told Pilate to crucify Jesus and set Barabbas free.
     Jesus was taken to Calvary, and He was crucified between two criminals.  Even though they crucified Him, Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
     Humanity failed its trial while Jesus was on the earth.  They rejected Jesus and turned away from following Him.  However, Jesus and His sacrifice was validated by the Father when Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.
     Every one has to decide what they will do with Jesus.  Jesus said that He was the divine Son of God come to save people from their sins.   All people have to decide whether they will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior or reject Him and do what they think is right.
     Jesus came to this earth because He loved us.  I just want to close today with the words from John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but should have everlasting life."