This day was the saddest day in Christian history. Yes, you and I know Jesus rose again--but people on that day watched Him dying, and they didn't know. Maybe there were more tears shed by women and men alike on that day than on any other. They were anguished, disillusioned, angry, disappointed, mournful.
They had believed Jesus would set up His kingdom and boot the Romans out.
They thought this Healer would be around for at least a normal lifetime, maybe forever.
Even Judas was unhappy. He had been the one who betrayed Jesus, but then he went back to the temple rulers and gave their thirty pieces of silver back to them.
Now their Lord hung, dirty and bleeding, from the worst instrument of torture the Romans could devise. A sign was nailed to the cross saying in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Not everyone was unhappy.
Temple rulers rejoiced--all but a few like Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus.
The Romans were probably pretty noncommittal. They saw crucifixions all the time, and this was just part of their job. All but one, maybe, who commented that this Man really was the Son of God--or at least a son of a god.
Those in the crowd who demanded Barabbas, a murder, be released rather than Jesus, were not unhappy. They had hollered to Pilate to crucify Jesus.
Which part would you have played?
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