Attitude Of Disciples On Good Friday Series

The attitude of Disciples on Good Friday

Introduction to Good Friday Devotions:

Almost all Christians all over the globe observe Good Friday. No one would call the death of a person a good thing. But this Friday became Good Friday because the death of Christ has changed many things in life history. This Friday Changed the destiny of millions and millions of people. This Friday has overturned the political equations, Philosophical arguments, and theological expressions of people.

Usually, many Churches remember the Seven Words of Jesus Christ on the cross and its importance on Good Friday. He uttered the importance of forgiveness even before someone asks from us (Luke 23:34). Jesus has given hope and courage to the robbers to face death while he was going through the suffering (Luke 23:43).

He never left anyone as an Orphan. Jesus brought the new relationship to one another in Christ as Mother-Son, Brother-sister, Father- Son, daughter relationships (John 19:26-27). The terror of the Sin, vicarious death upon the cross, bearing the sins of the whole world made him cry aloud to God as forsaken son (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34).

His open statement of his thirst reflects his integrity in acknowledging the need for a person (John 19:28). He boldly declared at death that he had fulfilled all the commission given to him (John 19:30). He ended his life acknowledging the Ownership of God upon his soul, spirit, and Body (Luke 23:46).

But today, we are going to mediate the attitude of the Disciples on this Good Friday. That means character, integrity, stewardship, accountability, responsibility, and commitment of the disciples. Many life values and moral values looked from the lives of Disciples who reflect ourselves on many occasions. However, due to lack of time and observing capacity, we would think of five aspects.

1. Their fight for Power Equations (Luke 22:14-29),

2. Their profit of Cash for conspiracy (Matthew 26:1-5,1-16,47-50),

3. Running away at critical stages and situations (Mark 14:31, 50-51),

4. Dared to deny the savior, God, Bible, and truths for the sake of personal interest (Luke 22:54-62).

5. However, we will fail to do justice to the topic if we fail to acknowledge the silent, sincere and devoted Disciples of Christ (John 19:31-42).

1. Fight for Power (Luke 22:14-29).

The fight for power was found among the twelve. All were equal but everyone wanted to dominate one another.

The fight for power, popularity, and higher rank is an age-old issue from time immemorial men fight for it. Power struggle means the struggle to control(Merriam-Webster), an unpleasant or violent competition for power (Cambridge Dictionary), two or more people compete for influence (Collins dictionary). Struggle to show authority over one another.

Margaret Thatcher once said, “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you are not.” Those who feel powerless act in a demanding, overwhelming, power-driven way to compensate for their perceived powerlessness. (ref:psychologytoday.com)

Illustration: In see-saw play: If both partners understand their power or are empowered, stay relatively level and balanced. If one person has brought a feeling of self. He or she may try to compensate by bearing down on the see-saw, shifting his or her weight, and perpetually uprooting, destabilizing, ungrounding his or her partner on the other side.

The first family saw this issue in the form of whose sacrifice was great (Genesis 4:3-5). The fight among brothers between Jacob and Esau was another example of a power struggle within the family (Genesis 24:24-26). The brothers were indignant on Joseph about the Prime Ministership of a Nation (Genesis 37:5-11). Aaron, Miriam fought with Moses over the leadership (Numbers 12:1-2).

There was a war between the house of Saul and David increased and ended up in enmity and erasing one another (2 Samuel 3:1-2). Among the captains of David (2 Samuel 3:26-28). The power struggle between the sons of David is not exceptional (1 Kings 1 &2). The New Testament has issues between the disciples in Infront of Jesus Christ. They fought very often.

The win-win situation and cooperation and collaboration play an important role. Treating all equally and giving due respect for the potentiality found in others are appreciable. Team players are appreciated. No individual identity in the commonwealth of the team but with unique personal identity. Concept of “we” overplays the word “I”. However, self-respect and individual accountability never miss in this context.

2. Cash for conspiracy (Matthew 26:1-5,1-16,47-50).

Judas Iscariot had intention to earn money out of any thing in life. He had given place and along with high level religious group to betray Christ.

Bible records on people selling their conviction, character for the sake of gain or to please leaders in all contexts (1 Kings 21:11-14). Money sows mistrust, ends friendships, encourages to lie and cheat. Karl Marx says, ‘‘Money then appears as the enemy of man and social bonds that pretend to self-subsistence.’’ “The universal regard for money is the one hopeful fact in our civilization. Money is the most important thing in the world. It represents health, strength, honor, generosity, and beauty” said, George Bernard Shaw(ref:schoolworkhelper.net).