Good Friday

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Today marks the day when most Christians celebrate Good Friday, the day which Christ was crucified. It is one of the most holy days leading to the most holy day…the Day of Resurrection.

I spent some time this morning reading in all four Gospels from the King James Version about the earthly death of the human portion of Jesus. The Last Supper, visit to the garden, prayers, arrest, trial and eventual crucifixion. Portions in all four Gospels are almost word for word. Several chapters are devoted to the aforementioned events.

Matthew: tax collector and accountant of the bunch, one of The Twelve. Matthew writes to the Jewish population.

Mark: a follower of Jesus through Paul, much younger than the rest. Mark preaches primarily to the Gentile population.

Luke: the physician, also a follower of Jesus through Paul. Luke writes of the human side of Jesus. Luke is the only gospel, for instance, that tells of his birth. He, indeed, is a son of man (woman).

John: the beloved Disciple, he and James are likely related to Jesus. John writes of the Divinity and Godliness of Jesus, the Son of God, the Father.

Some observations not often discussed:

In Mark’s version, there are two verses (Mark 14:51-52) which are sort of surprising. This particular incident is not mentioned in any of the other Gospels:

              51. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him.
             52. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.


Some scholars believe that this young man may have been Mark who witnessed the arrest of our Lord. To me this makes a lot of sense, as why else would that be important enough to mention it in his Gospel. If this is true, then he “found” Jesus long before he was mentored by Paul. Did God touch his heart in that garden? Maybe.

John’s Gospel, although relatively short, gives ever so much of the spoken word of Jesus…much more than the other three Gospels. John must have stuck close to Jesus throughout the entire evening of the trial and followed him closely to the Cross:
           1. The words and conversation of Jesus are expressed from the dinner to the His death.
           2. Although written in third person, John is there to hear the charge Jesus gave his mother and to John to care for her. (John 19:26, 27).
           3. There seems to be much more of fulfilled scripture mentioned in John than in the other Gospels.
           4. John is the only Gospel to name Peter as the man with the sword in the garden who severed the servant’s ear. (John 18:10)
           5. And named the servant (Malchus). (John 18:10)


Luke, the story teller of the human side of Jesus, goes into much more detail about finding the appropriate place for the Passover dinner. He also discusses food and drink in more detail.

Matthew’s story is geared toward much of the religious aspect of Jewish life. (Matthew 26:3-5)
          3. Then assembled together the chief priest, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.
         4. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
         5. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.


The truth is the same, but enhanced by the personalities of each of the writers.  Isn't wonderful that God gave us each a distinctive personality!

Praise Be to God!