THE SHOUTS HEARD ON FRIDAY

By Kathi Pelton

Less than a week before that Friday— the day that defined the true meaning of the word, “agony”— our Messiah was celebrated with the cheers of his disciples, his mother, his friends and his followers all around him. The people waved palm branches and laid them on the road as he passed by shouting, “Hosanna, Hosanna!” It was a moment of triumphant, of fulfillment and of great joy. It was believed by those in attendance to be the beginning of their salvation, their victory and their freedom. And it was— but not in the way they expected.

Only five days later a very different scene was unfolding. A new crowd, and a new shout was taking place as our Lord stood accused, stripped and beaten beyond recognition. This time he stood surrounded by a murderer, an insurrectionist and a leader that oppresses the Jewish people. No longer were there shouts of joy that declared, “Hosanna” but this time shout of anger that yelled, “Barabbas, Barabbas!”

What confusion flooded his followers, what fear overcame his disciples, what pain permeated his mother— and what agony filled every fiber of our precious Jesus’ body.

How could this be happening? How could they bear this pain? Would they crucify the one who gave them hope? The one who made the blind to see and the lame to walk? The one who raised his friend from the dead? The one who brought the words of life?

Barabbas was set free and in exchange a wooden cross was placed upon the shoulders of a man who had done no wrong— had no sin— beared no guilt. And yet, he carried the cross of guilt, the weight of sin and wore the thorns of shame.

Then, in a what was more unbearable then anyone could imagine he was nailed to that cross. The very hands that had touched the sick with such tenderness now pierced. The feet that walked beside the broken with such compassion now nailed to a tree.

Another shout is heard in this moment— shouts of pain, grief and unbelief from those who knew him and love him. A shout of the deepest agony imaginable came from a woman who collapsed in her pain— his mother. As she watched the beautiful boy that she had held, raised, loved, given life to— be put to death.

The thump of the cross being raised up and put in place brought a deep gasp from the depths of our Lord that ushered in a darkness that spread throughout the land.

He hung between two thieves and in his pain— once again, compassion flowed. One of the thieves cursed and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other thief rebuked him and asked Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He recognized that it really was a King who hung next to him. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Even on the cross, he loved the broken, the guilty and he save him— for all eternity.

Six hours later— six hours of bearing not only his own weight but the weight of the sin of all mankind— the punishment of every evil act— the shame of the guilty—there was one more shout left,

“”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

The sin that causes separation from the Father was being experienced and taken upon himself for us.

FOR US!

Then— not a shout but in a whisper, out of his final breath he said, “It is finished.”

And he died.

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“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.” Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭5‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬