The Brightest Darkest Day by Phillip Gore

It was the darkest day.

And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take.

Mark 15:24

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

Luke 23:33

There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.

John 19:18

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

It was the darkest day.

Each of the Gospel writers simply state that "they crucified him.” In the first century, crucifixion was so commonplace that descriptions were not necessary—everyone knew the horrors of death by crucifixion. Thank God, in our century we have no experiential knowledge of crucifixion.

1. There were several types of crosses used: X, T, Stake and the traditional style that we see in most paintings and movies. Jesus’ cross was most likely this last style as there was room above his head for a sign.
2. Jesus’ “hands” were nailed to the crossbeam with 5-7 inch-long metal spikes. It is possible that he was also tied to prevent the nails from ripping through the hand. It is possible that the language could include the wrist area, which would not rip. If it was through the wrist area, the median nerve would be severed causing severe pain through the arms and shoulders.
3. It has been suggested that a spike driven at the appropriate angle in the right area of the hand would not rip out.
4. The cross would be lifted into the air and slipped into a hole deep enough to keep it and its victim upright for the duration. The jarring of this action, would have potentially jolted Jesus’ shoulders out of joint.
5. Once in place the feet would be nailed to the cross as well. There are a number of ways this could have been done and probably was done at different times in history. Through the side of each foot and into the crossbeam. One nail through both feet and into a little platform as is often portrayed. Or each foot nailed individually right into the front of the upright section of the cross.
6. The wounds Jesus had already experienced would be exposed to the rough-hewn cross increasing his agony.
7. It is commonly believed that suffocation was the ultimate cause of death. The position you are in supposedly makes it very difficult to breath (particularly exhale) because you have to push yourself up to do so. However, this is based on WWII prisoners who were strung up by their hands which is a different position. 
8. More recent evidence suggests that people hung as you would have been on a cross may have trouble breathing but would not die of asphyxiation. They would however die of shock.
9. It's no wonder that the word "excruciating" literally means “out of the cross.”

All of that is poured into those three little words, “They crucified Him.” It was the darkest day. 

And we have said nothing of:

1. The Betrayal of Judas, the Denials of Peter or the Abandonment of the Apostles.
2. Being shuffled back and forth between Annus, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod Antipas.
3. Trial after trial. One kangaroo court as unjust as the next.
4. Being mocked, beaten with fists, beard pulled out, crowned with thorns, the horrors of the Roman lash.
5. Being Condemned by the crowds and forced to carry a cross.

It was the darkest day. The sky would go black, the Father would turn from the Son, causing Jesus to cry out: 

with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Matthew 27:46b

It was the darkest day. But why? What was out there in the darkness? The answer is sad but simple. Sin. Our sin. The unfathomable overwhelming multitude of our sin.

1. We betrayed, denied and abandoned him.
2. We mocked, beat and lashed him.
3. We condemned him and nailed him to a cross.
4. We crucified him.

It’s good to stare into that abyss. Only when we understand the depths to which we have sunk, can we begin to comprehend the glorious heights of God’s grace. As the Apostle Paul writes:

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

We have no experiential knowledge of crucifixion. We adorn our churches with crosses carved from fine woods or fashioned with stained glass. We wear them in gold and silver around our necks. What was once a symbol of unrelenting condemnation and judgement was transformed by the death of Jesus into a symbol of love, grace and forgiveness. Just as His death transforms us from condemned sinners into forgiven saints. 

A trade only God could make. Our sin for His righteousness.

When Jewelers show diamonds, they always place them against the darkest background they have - usually black velvet. They do this for a reason. A black background does not reflect light, so all of the light reflecting back to the eye will be coming from the shimmering jewel. The bleak, black background highlights and draws attention to the diamond in the center.

Against the brutal backdrop of the crucifixion our Lord shines brighter than any diamond. His loving kindness and grace pierced the darkness of the day and pierces the darkness of our souls. From the cross:

1. Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them.” He prays the same for us, lost in our sin.
2. Jesus promised “You will be with me in paradise.” He promises the same to us, in spite of our sin.
3. Jesus proclaimed “It is finished.” He proclaims the same for us, in regard to our sin.

His prayer, His promise and His proclamation all fulfilled because he paid the price for our sins, offering us salvation from the eternal, righteous, judgment of God.

It was the darkest day. 

It was the brightest darkest day. 

It was Good Friday.

(preached by Phillip at the Community Good Friday Service.)