What Was the First Good Friday Like for Jesus?
While the exact date of Jesus’ crucifixion isn’t recorded, Easter has become the time when Christians commemorate His death and resurrection. Though its origins trace back to pagan traditions, Easter today is overwhelmingly recognised as a celebration of Christ’s victory over death, demonstrating how Christianity has reshaped the meaning of this occasion.
Before we focus on the resurrection, it’s important to reflect on the events of the first Good Friday and use Scripture to better understand Christ’s betrayal. This isn’t about dwelling on Judas, but recognizing that his actions were not just a personal failure. His betrayal fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 41:9), was influenced by Satan (Luke 22:3), and may have been driven by his own disillusionment with Jesus’ mission.
In the same way, our own disbelief or misunderstanding can sometimes lead us to reject the truth—just as Judas’ actions set the course for the events that led to the cross. Before we look down on Judas for his betrayal or Peter for denying Christ, we need to remember that we, too, bear responsibility for Jesus’ death. It was our sin that put Him on the cross, and no one is innocent (Romans 3:23). Every time we sin, aren’t we, in a sense, denying Christ’s truth and everything He stands for? Perhaps this is something worth reflecting on as we consider the Scriptures surrounding the message of Easter.
Matthew 26 and 27: The Betrayal and the Cross
Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. From that time, he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:47-49
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately, he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Matthew 26:57
And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death.
Matthew 27:1-5
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:25
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The Significance of Christ’s Betrayal
The Son of God was not only betrayed by a man, but also by the religious leaders of His day. This highlights a deeper truth: that our trust should not rest solely in human institutions, no matter how well-intentioned. There is no mediator between us and God except Christ Himself:
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Why Attend Church?
You may ask, “Why should we attend church if most churches and religions can only be partially trusted and are not the mediators between us and God?”
The reason is simple: if we do not engage with the church, we are essentially leaving it to others to shape. We are called to take responsibility for ourselves, ensuring that God’s Word is upheld, and working together to guard against evil and wrong beliefs. We also find strength in fellowship, accountability, and the encouragement of one another:
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
The Church: A Place to Grow
The church is not about seeking perfection—it’s about seeking Christ. While every church is made up of imperfect people, we must strive to be part of a body that is moving in the right direction, under the authority of Christ and His teachings. And though Jesus is our only mediator, the church helps us grow closer to Him and one another:
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Salvation is not something we earn; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). The church serves as a place where we can express our love and gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, draw closer to Him, and help others do the same. When we truly love someone, we want to spend time with them, and that’s what church should be—a place to listen to and learn from God through His Word, the Bible:
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
The Choice to Embrace or Reject Salvation
To stop evil from reigning in our lives, we must understand the truth—starting with the Scriptures. As we grow in knowledge, we can hold ourselves accountable to God’s Word and share it with others.
God loves you and desires that you come to repentance, not condemnation. Salvation is a gift already offered to us, but many will sadly reject it:
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
I hope this message has sparked some curiosity in you to dive deeper into the Scriptures and examine what you believe. Let us remember that no one is innocent in the shedding of Christ’s blood, and yet all can be forgiven if we humbly turn to Him:
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
John 3:18
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
