What Good Friday meant for the plans of the Devil and how the events afterward revealed the truth…
Good Friday will forever be remembered as the day when hope was lost *momentarily.* Yet we as believers can reflect upon it with immense gratefulness, humility, and even joy. In the moment of Jesus’ death, there had never been such a clear image of God’s love for us. It was the culmination of His thousands years old rescue plan. And He conquered death, hell, and the grave, rose up out of the tomb, ascended, and is still saving and interceding on our behalf today.
So why was Satan so excited about the crucifixion? How could he possibly think he would come out on top?
Well, first of all, Satan is Omni-nothing. He’s not existent everywhere. He doesn’t know everything. He’s only lord over darkness. He didn’t know what was coming. He didn’t pay attention to the prophets. He didn‘t have the Holy Spirit understanding to recognize he was playing into God’s hands. Though he is a cunning adversary, skilled at mind games, deception, and accusations, he’s nothing next to our Creator.
Secondly, let’s consider the implications of Jesus’ punishment.
The Jews, the people of God, the chosen nation… had turned on His own son. It wasn’t that Satan really thought Jesus was dead, but that the people had rejected Him. *Not too surprising though, considering how they had treated the prophets before and even John the Baptist.
“Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.””
John 19:11 NIV
“It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.”
John 19:14-15 NIV
His disciples were dispersed, fearful for their own safety, confused about the judgment, and mourning their loss.
What Happened Next
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.”
Matthew 27:50-53 NIV
The veil was torn. God’s presence was no longer bound to an innermost room. Jesus became the eternal, perfect High Priest. We were now able to communicate with God, our Father, through His own son. The Law was officially fulfilled, completed, and we are now free to choose redemption through faith in this Jesus.
Several weeks after Jesus’ ascension back to Heaven, the Holy Spirit would show up and become the earthly guide for all believers. And 2,000 years later, His disciples would still be spoken of. His message would still be carried. His Word would still be alive.
Satan had hope for a moment on the Good Friday long ago, but God’s plan for us to be reconciled would be completed.
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.””
Matthew 28:5-10 NIV
With that, we offer you this challenge: go tell someone about Jesus today. That is the great call He charged us with and seeing someone come to salvation would make it a truly Good Friday