Friday, April 7, 2023
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Passion Week - Good Friday
This is the day that Christ actu ally died on the cross. Can you envision and imagine how He was treated and what he went through. At 3:00 pm, which is about the time they believe that he actually died, is the exact time that Jesus died – for you and for me. To me, this is the holiest of all days. This day is symbolic of all we believe as Christians, the premise on which our foundation is built. This is the day that He laid down His life for us.
He had been up all night, tortured and beaten, exhausted. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by the authorities (perhaps after midnight, or early Friday morning) He was put on trial and the crowds shouted, “crucify him!!” He had to carry his cross all the way to the hill where he was crucified. Then He was crucified and had to hang there for three hours before he finally died, all the while being taunted and ridiculed. He was thirsty and given vinegar to drink. I cannot fathom the suffering and pain He endured during those three miserable hours. What was He thinking? What was going through His mind as He hung there? I know that I would be seriously rethinking this commitment I had made. But Jesus did not change his mind in the midst of his suffering. He didn’t “quit”. He fulfilled the scriptures so that we could have eternal life.
So, 'What happened on Good Friday?' The goodness of Jesus's love and sacrifice at Calvary is immense, permanent and priceless. It is inseparably connected to his life on earth before that, and to His Resurrection. What happened is part of a longer story that involves all humanity, and it is part of a more-than-human setting that involves Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all fulfilled in Him.
The Earth Trembled And The Veil Was Torn
In the temple a veil, a very thick, woven curtain, separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, that heavy curtain was torn from top to bottom. It was not ripped from bottom to top, as though a man were ripping it. Instead, it was ripped from top to bottom, because God was ripping it. God was saying, “You no longer are on the outside. You can come in. My Son has made a way for you.”
Also at this moment, the whole earth shook. Many ancient prophets became alive again. Many people saw them. The way that Jesus behaved in court and on the cross, was humble. When the Roman officer there saw this, and the other events, he said, ‘Surely, this man was the Son of God.’
I encourage you to really think about the day and what it means this year. Don’t let it go without a thought. Consider what He did for you. Consider what Good Friday and Easter mean for all of us.
What Jesus Did For Us on the Cross
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Finished and Completed
Without the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, we would be lost with no hope of salvation and eternal life. But thank God Jesus did finish what He came to do. He endured the pain of the cross, while focusing on the future and a promise for all of salvation and eternal life.
“It is finished” - John 19:30
Jesus completed the work of salvation and eternal life of the cross. Three important things were finished on the cross:
- Finished and completed were the sufferings of Christ – He would never experience pain at the hand of wicked men, and He would never again have to bear the sins of the world.
- Finished was Satan's stronghold on humanity – Jesus destroyed the power of death over all of humanity.
- Finished was the atonement for salvation – On the cross, Jesus took on our sin and exchanged them for life – eternal life in Him.
God had this plan for you and me and Jesus completed it through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. This Good Friday, and every day, we can be so thankful that Jesus finished and completed His work here on earth for you and me.
Who’s Your One Prayer Guide Day 34
Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. MATTHEW 26:37-39 CSB
All over the world Christians are recognizing this special day. Christians will hopefully stop at some time today to read the account of the crucifixion of Christ and remember His gift for their sins. I want _____________ to know that this gift was for him/her as well so that this day will forever be a day for them to remember the gift of Christ for them. I pray that today may be a day when they begin to make plans to be in worship on Easter to hear the glorious gospel. Lead me as to what I should do to encourage them to attend.
On this Good Friday, I can only say that I am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL for the sacrifice of Christ to cover my sin.
