Good Friday

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”          John 14:6

On this Good Friday, 2026 I am reflecting on the man crucified, and the human nature that led his enemies to do that. Was he crucified for healing people- maybe for healing them at the “wrong time” (the Sabbath)? Was he killed because he raised people from the dead? Was he persecuted because he taught people about the true nature of God?

The answer to those questions was likely, “No”. He was persecuted because he was seen as a disrupter to organized religion. In fact, he was called a “blasphemer”. He also fell into disfavor from those who sought political deliverance from Roman rule. In fact, Jesus never promised political deliverance- only spiritual reconciliation from a loving father.

Jesus displayed moral courage because he spoke the truth no matter the cost. He did that because he loved people, and he knew that indeed, the “truth shall set us free”. To paraphrase a line from the movie, A Few Good Men, the people who crucified Jesus “couldn’t handle the truth”. In other words, the truth did not line up with the narrative they wanted to advocate. Jesus was dangerous to them because their political or religious structures were being threatened.

So, the completely innocent Jesus was put to death because he threatened cherished and entrenched systems. The self-interest of those people and their groups were protected at the expense of Jesus. In the end, of course, truth triumphed. Jesus lives on in the lives and hearts of untold millions of people. His moral courage endures for those who choose to follow it.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus lives, as does his example to us. Thank you for sending your Son to us, Amen