Two mornings ago, light which traveled for seven billion years finally reached us.  Today's New York Times tells the story of the gamma-ray burst from halfway across the universe.  The amazing fact is that our God measures all that space in the palm of his hand (Isaiah 40:12).  Then his Son entered his creation as a member of our race, to die for us on this very day.  In the Holy Land, today is called "Great Friday"; in Armenia, it is "High Friday"; in Russia, it is known as "Passion Friday."  I like "Good Friday" best, for reasons we'll explore today.  Let's review what happened on this history-changing day.

Last night Jesus stood trial before the religious authorities.  These trials were illegal in at least these ways: Jesus was arrested without a formal charge; he was given no time to prepare a defense; they began with a private deposition before Annas, not the public trial required by law; the Sanhedrin could not initiate charges, only consider them; the proceedings were conducted at night, witnesses could not be solicited once a trial began or paid for their testimony; and the court did not punish them for their lies.

Then Jesus was put under oath to condemn himself; he was condemned only on the basis of his personal testimony; no discussion of the verdict was permitted; and the Sanhedrin changed the charge from blasphemy to insurrection when they came before Pilate.

Now our Lord was paraded before the Roman governor, as he alone possessed the authority to execute a prisoner.  Pilate soon found Jesus innocent of all charges (John 18:38).  He then shipped him to King Herod, who returned him without a verdict (Luke 23:6-12).  So Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded Barabbas.  He flogged Jesus, but that wasn't enough.  The authorities threatened to complain to Caesar that Pilate had released a known rebel, a charge which could cost the governor his post and perhaps his life.  Finally he chose himself over Jesus, and condemned our Lord to die.

The usual Palestinian tomb was either a natural cave or one made out of rock.  There was an entrance, and then a chamber, usually about 6 feet long, 9 feet wide and 10 feet high.  There were usually eight shelves cut in the rock--3 on each side and 2 on the wall facing the entrance.  The bodies were placed on these.  They were wrapped in linen, the feet and hands swathed in bandage-like cloths and the head wrapped separately.  The tomb had no door.  In front of the opening ran a groove in which was set a large stone like a cartwheel, rolled across the entrance to seal the tomb and keep wild beasts away.  Here is where Jesus will end this day, from your cross to your grave.  Today is "Good" Friday, indeed.  Have you thanked your Savior yet this morning?

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