Matthew 27:35 “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”
The death of the Lord Jesus and its significance to Christianity is of utmost importance. Some Christians and preachers play it down as though it was unfortunate or a surprise. Neither is true. We celebrate Good Friday because it is when a very important part of Christ’s prophesied work was fulfilled.
Even though Jesus repeatedly told the Apostles about His upcoming death, their did not understand or believe it. They were thinking that Christ would take the Kingdom away from the Romans and set up His rule over the earth.
Christ was ordained before the foundation of the world to be the Sacrifice for sinners: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (I Peter 1:20). Once He came, nothing would stop Him from going to the Cross for us – for unworthy sinners.
The fact that He would become our Sacrifice – our Substitute – was pictured in the illustration of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, in the thousands of sacrifices every year in Israel, and in many prophecies, such as Isaiah 53.
Jesus never ceased to be God; He merely added a human form to Himself at His conception. It did not weaken Him in any way, as His many miracles prove. Another testimony of His present power is seen in His statement in John 10:18 where He was talking about His life: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified that He might fulfill His purpose as the “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” – as spoken by John the Baptist. Notice in this verse that Jesus did not just die for the Jews – but for the entire world. Only His death could do that.
Peter declares, in I Peter 1:19, that we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Because only He was God in the flesh, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Among Jesus last words on the Cross, He declared three most powerful words: “It is finished” (John 19:30). By those words, He meant that all sin had been paid for and none were left unpaid – thus guaranteeing salvation to all who believe.
Have you believed on Him yet to become your Savior? If not, why not talk to Him now in prayer and tell Him you are sorry for your sins and want to live for Him now. Then, ask Him to forgive and save you because Jesus died for you – and He will.
Even though He died – that is not the end of the story. Easter is coming!