The Pain That Brought Life: A Good Friday Reflection

Good Friday is a unique day not just for our church community but for all of humanity. It marks a decisive point in history—a moment that split time and transformed eternity. On this day, we proclaim something that forever altered the course of creation: the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Before we celebrate the resurrection, we must reflect on the crucifixion. That’s the very heart of Communion. We honor our Passover Lamb, Jesus, through Communion. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV), “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Why Proclaim His Death?

We proclaim His death by remembering what it means—what it cost and what it accomplished. The cross is more than a symbol of suffering; it is the ultimate declaration of love.

Take, for instance, the story of Barabbas. When Jesus was arrested, Pilate gave the crowd a choice: Jesus or Barabbas. Barabbas was a known rebel and criminal, yet the people chose to release him and crucify Jesus. In that moment, Jesus took the place of the guilty, the undeserving. Barabbas was a rebel, but Christ died to make the rebellious righteous. Barabbas was a prisoner, but Christ died to make the slave become a son.

This profound exchange foreshadowed the greater truth of the Gospel: Jesus died in our place. Isaiah saw this reality hundreds of years earlier when he wrote, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV).

Today, let’s not just talk about the fact that Jesus died. Let’s talk about what that death truly means for each of us.

The Purpose in the Pain

As a father who witnessed the birth of my four children, I stood beside my wife Elizabeth during each delivery. Though I was present, I’ll never claim to fully understand the pain and strength she experienced in those moments. During one labor, she sat quietly with her eyes closed while her mother and I chatted about the hospital’s food options. In hindsight, not the smartest conversation to have around someone in the throes of labor! One look from Elizabeth made it clear that we needed to be quiet. She was in unimaginable pain.

But despite that pain, Elizabeth doesn’t regret a second of it. From those painful moments came the greatest joys of our lives—our children. Her pain brought life.

In the same way, the pain Jesus endured brought life to us all. Let’s reflect on the four wounds Jesus received and what they mean for us today.

The Pain That Brought Life - A Good Friday Reflection

1. The Wounds on His Back

Before Jesus was nailed to the cross, He was tortured. He was whipped with a Cat of Nine Tails—a brutal instrument made of leather strands embedded with glass, bone, and hooks. As it struck His back, it tore deep into His flesh.

Then, with blood and fluids already pouring from His wounds, Jesus was forced to carry a heavy crossbeam—about 100 pounds—uphill for roughly 650 yards.

Even for the strongest among us, this would have been impossible. But Jesus endured it.

The back represents what we carry—abuse, trauma, loss, stress, financial pressure, family responsibilities, and emotional pain. Maybe you're carrying a heavy weight right now.

Here’s the good news: Jesus sees what you're carrying.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

You can cast your abuse onto Jesus because He can handle it. You can cast your trauma onto Jesus because He can handle it. You can cast your loss, pain, and stress onto Jesus—because He can handle it. Let this be a moment to praise Jesus for His power to carry the weight we cannot.

2. The Crown of Thorns

As if the physical abuse wasn’t enough, Jesus was mocked and humiliated. The Roman soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head and sarcastically hailed Him as the King of the Jews. Those thorns pierced into His scalp, representing the mental anguish and emotional torment we often experience.

Many of us fight invisible battles in our minds. Maybe you've been haunted by words someone spoke over you: “You’ll never amount to anything.” “You’re a mess.” “You’re worthless.” “No one will ever want you.” “You’re a terrible parent.”

Jesus sees what’s on your mind. He sees the pressure you’ve been under. He sees the anxiety, the unhealthy thought patterns, the stress that has stolen your joy. And He offers peace.

Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Today, receive the peace of God. Accept the gift of a quiet mind and a peaceful heart.

3. The Piercing of His Hands and Feet

When Jesus arrived at Golgotha, the place of the skull, He was crucified in full view of everyone. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross. This was not a private moment. Jesus died publicly, openly, for the whole world to see.

His hands and feet represent our actions—what we’ve done wrong. The Bible uses the word “transgressions” to describe the moments we’ve crossed a moral or spiritual line.

We’ve all lied. We’ve all been prideful. We’ve all felt greed, envy, or selfishness. But despite knowing every one of our sins, Jesus still died for us.

Jesus used His hands and feet to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and touch the outcast. He lived a life of perfect love and chose to die for those who haven’t. He paid for it all—our past sins, our present sins, and our future sins. Today, you can accept freedom from guilt and shame. Because of the cross, you are no longer bound by what you’ve done.

4. The Piercing of His Heart

After Jesus declared, “It is finished,” and breathed His last, the Roman soldiers pierced His side with a spear to confirm His death. Blood and water flowed from the wound, indicating a ruptured heart.

This fulfilled the prophecy in Psalms 34:20: “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” John 19:36 confirms it, saying, “These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’”

Jesus died of a broken heart, bearing the full weight of the world’s sin. Hebrews 12:2 says, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross.” You were the joy set before Him.

He was thinking of you—your trauma, your heartbreak, your tragedy. He knows how you feel.

If you’ve ever said, “No one understands what I’m going through,” let me assure you: Jesus does. He’s experienced rejection, abuse, pain, and isolation. He knows your heartbreak.

And not only does He understand it—He can heal it.

Healing is available today—right now, in whatever situation you're facing. Whether it's healing from illness, depression, addiction, or heartbreak, Jesus offers hope and restoration. No pain is too deep, no struggle too heavy. He sees it all, and His healing power is still at work today.

When the Bottle Gets Lost

I once planned an elaborate beach proposal for Elizabeth. I wrote a love letter and placed it in a bottle, hiding it in the sand. But when we arrived at the beach, I couldn’t find the bottle. The sea level had risen, and my plan was literally washed away. I was pacing back and forth, confused, frustrated, and worried. But despite the lost bottle, I still proposed. And she said yes.

Maybe in life, you've lost something too. Maybe it’s a person, a dream, your confidence, or your faith. You’re pacing through life, disappointed that things didn’t turn out how you planned.

But here's the Gospel: even though you’ve made mistakes and faced setbacks, God still has a message for you—not in a bottle, but in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, and willingly became the Passover Lamb. He said, “For me to save her, to heal him, to set them free—I must endure the whip. I must carry the cross. I must wear the crown. I must be pierced. I must suffer a broken heart.” And He did it—all for you.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The Invitation: Accept Christ

Today, you have the opportunity to receive Jesus. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus did it all so you could be saved.

He bore the wounds on His back for your burdens. He wore the crown for your peace of mind. He was pierced in His hands and feet for your forgiveness. He suffered a broken heart for your healing. Will you accept Him today?

Communion: Proclamation, Anticipation, Unity

The pain that brought life points to Jesus Himself. When Christians take Communion, we do so in remembrance of Christ. It is an act of proclamation, anticipation, and unity.

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NKJV) says, “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” When we take the bread and thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

1 Corinthians 11:25 (NKJV) continues, “In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” When we drink the cup, we remember the price Jesus paid.

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