Good Friday Devotional
Main Text: Matthew 27:45-56
It would be an understatement to say that there are many problems facing mankind. Such are the consequences of living in a sin-cursed world (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:19-22). Yet in God’s perfect timing, He has begun the process of making all things new through the work of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:1-5). As we see from the Gospel records, the final day of Jesus’ earthly life is at the heart of God’s plan to redeem His fallen creation.
On Friday of Holy Week, we discover many important events taking place. After being betrayed by Judas, Christ is forced to stand trial before Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, and Pontius Pilate (Matthew 26:57-27:26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:66-23:25; John 18:12-19:16). The outcome of these hearings resulted in Jesus being mocked, whipped, and unlawfully sentenced to death by crucifixion (Matthew 27:27-32; Mark 15:16-22; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17).
By 9:00 am, Jesus was hung on the cross and would remain alive for another six hours. In addition to being mocked by onlookers (Matthew 27:35-43; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:34-38), Jesus had several interactions during this agonizing time span. One of the thieves crucified next to Jesus came to saving faith, and Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to the Apostle John (Matthew 27:38-44; Luke 23:39-43; John 19:25-27). In the midst of these weighty moments, Jerusalem was overcome with darkness and a powerful earthquake caused the temple curtain to be torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:45-54; Mark 15:33-38; Luke 23:35-38; John 19:29).
At 3:00 pm, Jesus made a final declaration before giving up His spirit in death: “it is finished” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34-39; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)! In making this cry at the cross, Jesus affirmed that He fully satisfied God’s wrath for the sin of His people (Romans 5:8-10; 1 Peter 3:18). By His stripes, we are healed; by His death, we are heirs of salvation (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:23-24). Praise be to God that through faith in Jesus Christ, our greatest problems (sin and death) have been forever solved: “it is finished!”
Dewey is a licensed and ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention. He was raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is happily married to Beall, and is a proud father of Isabelle Ruth. Dewey played college baseball at Western Texas College, receiving the Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. Following his time at Western Texas College, Dewey would continue as a student-athlete at The Master’s University, earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries. Upon completion of his undergraduate work, Dewey went on to acquire the Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from The Master’s University, as well as the Master of Theology degree in Historical Theology from Campbellsville University. Dewey is currently a doctoral student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with an emphasis in Christian Worldview and Apologetics. Over the last decade, Dewey has served local churches in a variety of ways, focusing on next generation ministries. He has experience teaching children in AWANA, serving as youth pastor, as well as leading college students and young adults. He is also passionate about personal evangelism, and has led groups in gospel outreaches in cities around the country. To strengthen his service to the church, and in conjunction with his seminary studies, Dewey has participated in several academic fellowships and cohorts. He specializes in the disciplines of apologetics, biblical theology, historical theology, and systematic theology. Dewey is also actively involved with Covenant Confessions—a ministry of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. Today, Dewey serves as the Associate Pastor of Next Generation and Outreach at Metro East Baptist Church (Wichita, Kansas).
You can follow Dewey on Twitter @SlaveofChrist17
