Upward to Pentecost: "Good Friday" Matthew 26-27

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the day that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. According to Christian tradition, several significant events took place on Good Friday:
1. Trials of Jesus: After his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night, Jesus underwent multiple trials:
• He was first brought before the Jewish religious authorities, including the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, where false witnesses testified against him.
• He was then taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who found no basis for charging Jesus but, under pressure from the crowd, handed him over to be crucified.
• Jesus was then sent to King Herod Antipas, who mocked him and sent him back to Pilate.
2. Scourging and Mockery: Before the crucifixion, Jesus was scourged, a brutal form of punishment involving whipping or beating. He was also subjected to mockery and humiliation by the Roman soldiers.
3. The Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa): Jesus carried his cross along the Via Dolorosa, the traditional route in Jerusalem believed to be the path he walked on his way to Golgotha (Calvary), the site of his crucifixion.
4. Crucifixion: Jesus was nailed to the cross and crucified at Golgotha, alongside two criminals. He endured great suffering and agony on the cross, and during this time, he uttered several famous statements, including "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" and "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
5. Death: Jesus died on the cross in the afternoon, around 3 PM. According to the Gospels, there were several supernatural events that occurred at the moment of his death, including darkness covering the land and the temple veil being torn in two.
6. Burial: After his death, Jesus' body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple, and placed in a tomb. The tomb was sealed with a large stone, and guards were posted to prevent tampering.
Good Friday is observed with solemnity and reflection by Christians worldwide as they remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. It is a day of mourning but also a day of profound significance in Christian theology, as it marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly mission and the beginning of the salvation of humanity through his death and resurrection.