Friday, April 3, 2026
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6
A Good Day
This is Good Friday, a good day for all mankind. The most important day in history – the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
For the disciples, Jesus’ mother and other friends that were there that day it didn’t seem like a good day. It may have seemed like the worst day of their lives. It wasn’t a good day for Christ physically. He suffered beyond anything we can fathom for us to have forgiveness, salvation, and everlasting life. He was tortured and beaten all night. He had to be exhausted and way past the point of wanting to quit. Even through these horrible acts by evil men, Jesus persevered. The moment Jesus died the veil was torn and the sky turned dark. He brought hope and life to a dark world. It is Good Friday because this was the day that God’s plan to save His people became fulfilled. There must be death to have resurrection. This day had to happen so Jesus could rise again on Sunday!
God Himself entered this chaotic world so He could mend the brokenness for all mankind – permanently. He gave his son to pay the penalty for our sins - to be sacrificed in our place, to take the punishment of our sinfulness. Now we can have freedom and peace. Now we can have hope and joy and life and light. His suffering and death on the cross brought us freedom, healing, and peace.
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 CSB
What Jesus did for us on the cross should give us immense pause to reflect on the gravity of our sin and the price he paid to free us from that bondage. Death was the penalty – our penalty – for our sins, but Jesus paid that penalty for us so we could be freely forgiven. We could not earn it and we don’t deserve it. The work of the cross bought our redemption and inheritance as children of God. What Jesus did on the cross was for everyone. Anyone who believes and repents has the gift of salvation from their sins. They are pardoned and their debt is paid, but it didn’t end on the cross. Sunday is coming, and Jesus rose from the grave, providing eternal life to those who chose to put their faith in him and make him Lord of their lives.
When is the last time you really thought about what Jesus did for you on the cross? Have you placed your faith in him and asked him to be your Lord and Savior? Today is the day. Don’t wait another day.
