Good Friday
Good Friday
Light of Christ Anglican Church
The Reverend Michael J. Moffitt
April 3, 2026
It Depends On Your Perspective
Text: John 19: 1–37
Tonight we come to recall the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ upon a Roman cross. Many have called this the darkest day in human history because our Lord was betrayed by those who claimed to be his followers. A religious system that had been looking for its Messiah for millenniums betray him and put him to death.
To those who had followed Jesus and put all their trust and faith in him as the long-awaited Messiah, it looked like the enemy had won. What now? Could they even pray?
As we entered the sanctuary tonight we were reminded that the altar has been stripped, we are not processing with the cross held high and our service is more solemn as is reflected in our readings for tonight.
As I thought about what I wanted us to focus on, I found myself thinking about the various persons or groups that are portrayed in the crucifixion story. It occurred to me that even during the horrific events portrayed tonight God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were at work accomplishing what needed to happen in order for man to be reconciled to God and creation renewed.
Let me present to you the evidence for that conclusion.
I personally believe that one of the truisms about reading the Bible is that your reaction to any given story is never purely neutral. Everyone, with few exceptions, will change to some degree from beginning to the end. Whether you’re an unbeliever or very serious believer the outlook you begin with will likely be at least somewhat different at the end. Why do I say that? Consider Hebrews 4:12,
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Living Word of God always accomplishes what it intends because the movement within the word is from the Holy Spirit.
As I considered our Gospel reading from John 19:1–37, I wondered about the perspective of those who were there for the entire event—at the beginning (trial) and then at the end (Jesus breathing His last). Within the different accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion we see examples of change within those who participated in the episodes. For a greater body of proof I will also refer to verses within each of the Synoptic Gospels account of the crucifixion.
• Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate’s viewpoint during the trial of Jesus Christ made a dramatic change when he encountered Jesus personally. Initially, Pilate, as the Roman governor, was concerned with crowd control and the maintaining of order and the enforcement of Roman law in Judea. As the trial continued Pilate became increasingly aware of Jesus’ innocence. Clearly the Jewish religious authority’s saw Jesus as a threat to their rule and control over the people. But Jesus’ calmness in the face of such outbursts of hatred, his measured responses, and refusal to defend himself against false accusations impressed Pilate and deepened his sense of morality.
He couldn’t find any reason to declare Jesus guilty. Pilate repeatedly declared, “I find no guilt in this man.” (Luke 23:4) He recognized that Jesus was not a political insurgent or criminal. Remember, this man would normally be indifferent to the person in front of him. His questioning revealed a growing awareness that Jesus’ claim to kingship was not based on a kingdom of this world.
What did that mean, not of this world? What else was there? But in order to appease the Jewish mob he had Jesus scourged and crucified. He made it clear to the mob that he would not be responsible.
Listen to Matthew 27:24,
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
I wonder what that felt like for him. Did this declaration of his innocence really settle the matter in his own heart? Had he betrayed his own sense of right and wrong for convenience sake. “Am I a coward?” “Who was this man?”
• Roman Centurian
The Roman centurion’s transformation in his thinking during the trial of Jesus Christ is marked by his sudden realization of Jesus’ divine identity and righteousness. He was merely a Roman soldier doing his job of enforcing Roman authority and maintaining order. Listen to Luke 23:36–38, 44–47.
The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
In Mark’s Gospel 15:37–39,
And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn into, from top to bottom. And when the centurion who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!”
As he witnessed the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion, he was deeply moved and was suddenly acutely aware that Jesus was who he claimed to be. This declaration points us to a profound shift in the soldiers perspective, due to a divine revelation and insight into a heart that was previously unmoved.
His acknowledgement of Jesus’ righteousness and the terrible injustice of his crucifixion is a strong critique of the Jewish leaders who failed to recognize Jesus as Messiah. This Roman soldiers testimony at the crucifixion doesn’t merely speak to the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God but also the universal reach of the Gospel.
• Thief on the Cross
The thief on the cross who was crucified alongside Jesus also experienced a profound change of thinking during the hours spent hanging on the cross.
In Matthew account 27:43–44, (The chief priests and religious leaders are speaking here)
“He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.”
But it’s in Luke’ account that we find the move of the Holy Spirit bringing about a change of heart. Initially he mocked Jesus but then there was an abrupt change. He turned to the other criminal who was challenging Jesus to save himself and them if he was indeed the Son of God and asked him,
“Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
In my mind I can see him realizing that it will not be long before he faces the eternal consequences of his ungodliness. So there’s that impassioned plea to the only one who can help him. This change in perspective led him to ask Jesus, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
What touches me the most about this interaction is that Jesus who himself is in agony, not just the pain of crucifixion, which I suspect is substantial, but for the first time He is separated from his Father who can’t look upon His beloved Son who now bore the sins of the world. This simple request that acknowledged the
truth of who the Son of Man was/is was all that was needed for salvation. So Jesus replies, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The story of the thief on the cross illustrates the accessibility of salvation to all who believe, regardless of their past. It demonstrates that faith, even when expressed in its simplest form, is sufficient for salvation. The thief had no opportunity for religious rituals, good works, or a life of service, yet his faith was recognized and rewarded by Jesus.
Not long ago I heard a sermon by Alistair Begg on the thief on the cross. He mused that when the man arrived at the Pearly Gates St. Peter didn’t have him on the list yet. So he asked the man how he came about being there. The man didn’t know.
So Peter asked him if he could explain the Doctrine of Justification by Faith alone or explain the Doctrine of the Atonement but the man replied, “I’ve never heard of it.”
Then Peter asked him why he had the right to be there and his response was, “Because the man on the middle cross said I could come.”
This narrative destroys any notion that salvation is earned through human effort or merit. The thief’s salvation was not dependent on any action other than his faith in Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus emphasizes belief as the pathway to eternal life (John 3:16, John 5:24).
For believers today, the thief on the cross serves as a model of faith. His story reminds us that it is never too late to turn to Christ and that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. It encourages us to approach Jesus with humility, acknowledging our own sinfulness and His righteousness, and to trust in His power to save.
The thief’s faith came at the worst point in his life, and it teaches us to look past our circumstance to the hope and assurance only found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• The Crowd
Lastly, I want to consider the changes within the crowd during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Initially they were expecting Jesus to arrive in Jerusalem as the long-awaited King who would sit forever on the throne of David. So they were beyond excited and met Jesus with joy and praise.
They were standing on the side of the road that Jesus used to enter the city of David waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”
Hosanna is only used a few times in the Bible, but it is usually translated as “save us”. This initial enthusiasm was because of their anticipation of Jesus’ arrival ushering in a new era of salvation, which was true. The problem was that Jesus didn’t appear as a warrior King ready to vanquish Roman rule over Israel. Over the next few days Jesus didn’t make any effort to engage Roman rule but seemed to be confronting the Jewish religious leaders instead. Then Jesus allowed himself to be arrested by the Jewish leaders. Really?
The chief priest and elders of the Sanhedrin were always opposing Jesus calling him a charlatan and a false prophet. They suggested that he was of the Prince of Darkness and not from God. They played a significant role in inciting the crowd to demand Jesus’ crucifixion. Their influence was evident in the crowds response
to Pilate’s attempts to release Jesus. I wonder how many who just days before were crying out, “Hosanna to the son of David!” turned around a few days later and screamed in rage, “Crucify him, Crucify Him!”
The crowds initial enthusiasm turned to condemnation as Jesus’ trial progressed. The crowds reaction to Pilate’ attempts to release Jesus and their subsequent demand for crucifixion reflects their animosity towards Jesus and their demand for a quick and decisive end to his ministry. Messiah indeed!
Listen to what happened right after Jesus breathed his last. Luke 23:46–49,
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
That has such powerful imagery for me. What appeared to be a catastrophe was in reality a powerful move of the Holy Spirit accomplishing what the plan of God had been all along. It would another 2 ½ days before the resurrection power would change everything and set a course for the Kingdom of God to begin the advance onto the earthly stage.
It’s helpful to remember that we have actually come on to the scene well into God’s plan for redemption which began in the Garden of Eden. Tonight we remember that evening a long time ago when to the disciples all seemed lost.
The stories we’ve briefly considered tonight were foretold by the prophets of God in the Old Testament many, many years earlier. We’ve seen how they unfolded with the coming of Messiah. Everything that happened was ordained and carried out by the Sovereign God who reigns over all creation, all the time.
We know what happened on Easter morning but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Ask God to allow you to spend time reflecting on this story so that you not miss the lessons to be learned. I believe this is how we face whatever is going on, whether good or bad.
Until Easter morning!
Let’s pray.
©2026 The Rev. Mike Moffitt
