The Darkest Brightest Day Ever

Articles & Devotionals

Adam Jones
04/10/20 - Devotionals

The Darkest/Brightest Day Ever

We look forward to Fridays. They signal the end of the long hard work week and we launch into our plans for the weekend. Family time, parties, working out in the yard or a quick road trip all begin on Fridays. But this Friday I would ask you to think back to what happened over 2000 years ago. As you go through today walk through each hour with Jesus our Savior and experience His death with Him. Below is a rough timeline of the events.

12:00am – 6:00am Jewish Trials (While you have been asleep Jesus was arrested and endured the false trials of the Jewish councils) (Matthew 26:47-75; Mark 14:43-72; Luke 22:47-65; John 18:1-27)

Tried by Annas and Caiaphas
Peter denies Him 3 times
The Jewish leaders condemn Him, blindfold Him, spit in His face and beat Him.

6:00am – 9:00am Roman Trial of Jesus

Last of the religious trials before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)
Civil trial: Part 1 – before Pilate (Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)
Civil trial: Part 2 – before Herod (Luke 23:6-12)
Civil trial: Part 3 – before Pilate again (Matthew 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39- 19:16)
- Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus and tries to seek His release
- The crowds call for Barabbas to be release instead.
- Pilate has Jesus scourged
- Over 500 Roman soldiers (cohort) strip Jesus, put a scarlet robe on Him, a crown of thorns on His head, reed in His hand and spit in His face as they mock and beat Him.
- Jesus is presented to the crowd and they cry out “Crucify, Crucify”
- Pilate brings Jesus out to the judgment seat to pass his judgment.

Jesus is led to Golgotha (Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:21-22; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:17)
- Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross
- Jesus tells the women to stop weeping for Him but weep for themselves.

9:00am -12:00pm Jesus’ Crucifixion Begins (Matthew 27:35-38; Mark 15:23-28; Luke 23:33-38; John 19:18-24)

Jesus is nailed to a cross with a sign over His head stating He is the King of the Jews.
Two thieves are crucified on either side of Jesus.
Jesus refuses to drink the vinegar mingled with gall.
The soldiers gamble for His garments.
Jesus says “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Intense mocking and insults are yelled by the crowd and two thieves. (Matthew 27:39-44; Mark 15:29-32)
One thief turns to Christ and is saved. Jesus says “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Jesus commits the care of Mary His mother to John. He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He *said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" (John 19:25-27)

12:00pm – 2:55pm (estimate) Darkness Comes (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-45)

Silence

2:55pm – 3:00pm (estimate) Jesus Last Moments

Jesus cries out “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46-47; Mark 15:34-35)
Jesus says “I thirst.” (Matthew 27:48-49; Mark 15:36; John 19:28-29)
Knowing that everything had been accomplished Jesus says “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
With a loud voice Jesus then says “Father into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (Luke 23:46)

3:00pm until evening Events after Jesus death

The evening sacrifice (a lamb) was offered at the temple.
An earthquake and the temple veil is torn in two - top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51-52)
The centurion says “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)
The soldiers break the legs of the thieves and pierce the side of Jesus (John 19:31-34)

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take the body of Jesus down from the cross and bury Him in a new tomb. (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)