They call this day Good Friday. How could anything good possibly come from this day? They have killed my Lord Jesus Christ - crucified Him with the criminals. This is a day of darkness, despair and hopelessness.

It started last night. John told us that after Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover in an upper room, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus went off to pray alone, and He appeared to be in deep anguish of soul.

Suddenly a large crowd came towards them, bearing torches and swords. Soldiers were with them and they arrested Jesus. There was great confusion and fear, and the disciples all fled. But John followed to see what they would do to our Lord.

They bound Him and took Him to be questioned by Caiaphas, the high priest. They handed Jesus over to Pilate, who also questioned Him. He would have released Him if the people hadn't wanted Him executed. Pilate handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be flogged. They thrust a crown of thorns on His head and wrapped Him in a purple robe. They mocked Him, spit on Him and struck Him on the head over and over.

Once more Pilate brought Jesus before the crowd, but they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” There was such anger and hatred in their voices. Pilate made one last attempt but they shouted louder, “Take him away! Crucify him!” My Lord was handed over to the soldiers to be crucified. He was so weak, so disfigured from the beating and whipping. They forced Him to carry His cross. We followed behind, mourning and weeping. All hope was lost.

When we arrived at the Place of the Skull, they crucified my Lord Jesus. The soldiers even took His clothing, dividing it among them. They put up a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

Suddenly, at noon, darkness fell over the whole land for three hours. Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit. The earth shook and rocks split. Tombs broke open and many holy people were raised to life. The curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom. We were seized with fear. My Lord was dead.

Now two days have passed, and the grief and bitterness in my soul is overwhelming. I must go to the tomb to see where they have laid my Lord. But look, the great stone closing the opening has been moved away. He is gone! Oh, where have they taken Him?

Someone is standing behind me. Oh, sir, do you know where they have taken my Lord so that I might get Him? But then he speaks my name - Mary. I know that voice. But could it be? My Jesus - alive? My Redeemer lives! Oh, what joy floods my soul! He is risen, just as He said!

Resurrection hope rises within and I cannot contain myself. I have to tell the others. I run to the disciples to share this wonderful news. I cry out that I have seen the Lord, but they don't believe me until they run to find out for themselves.

This same resurrection hope is available to all who will believe, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).

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