Description: Ziziphus spina-christi likely used to make crown of thorns. (PC: Ty McFarland)
Before I became a Christian I had no idea what Good Friday was or why it’s good. However, when I understood the full significance of Good Friday it changed my faith.
I hope this post will help you understand the weight and glory of Good Friday.
Good Friday Is
Good Friday is the day we celebrate that the Son of God –Jesus the Christ- died on a cross. But how is this good? Is it good that evil men murdered the author of life?
God Died Because
The Bible tells us that we are sinners by nature and choice deserving death, wrath and hell. This is a terrible problem.
Sadly, we cannot remedy this problem. We need help. We need someone to do what we can’t… we need a Savior.
God’s Solution is Atonement. On the cross the creator became a curse to take our curse of sin so that we might live through him.
Description: The site where the crucifixion is believed to have happened. (PC: Ashley Sherron)
The Goodness of Jesus’ Death
Only when we understand what Jesus accomplished on the cross can we truly understand that it was good (for us) for Jesus to die.
- Jesus died for our Forgiveness: The Bible says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)
Jesus went to the cross to shed his blood in our place for our sins so that we can be forgiven of our sins. This is good for us.
- Jesus died for our Propitiation: The Bible says, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9)
For our sin we deserve God’s righteous wrath. Yet, God’s wrath is diverted from us because Jesus took it for us. This is good for us.
- Jesus died for our Justification: The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 3:23-24)
As sinners we are legally guilty before God and unable to make ourselves right (legally justified) with God. Jesus died to make us right with God. This is good for us.
- Jesus died as our Ransom: The Bible says, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
As sinners we are indebted to God for our sin against God. The debt is too great for us to pay. Jesus generously pays our debt by dying. This is good for us.
- Jesus died to give us HIS Righteousness: The Bible says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
On the cross there was a “great exchange” as Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. In Christ, we are made righteous. This is good for us.
Celebrate the Goodness
At the cross of Jesus we see the mercy and justice of God displayed in the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.
This Good Friday I invite you to meditate on the cross. See the goodness of Jesus’ atoning death. Celebrate Jesus as our good God who saves us.
Immerse Yourself
Listen to “Good Friday | Easter Drama Day 6” on Spreaker.
Prayer:
There isn’t much more that we can say, Lord, other than, thank you. You gave everything. I’m so grateful. Thank you for dying for me and my sins, Lord. Thank you for hope, redemption, and true love.
Reflection Questions:
- Take a moment to stay in prayer and meditate on the cross. God gave everything so you could live. How does that make you feel?
by Bubba Jennings, Resurrection Church
EASTER STORY
Sitting in the darkness on the Mount of Olives peak
Searching for the light of day, is this what I seek?
Waiting to see Jesus as to Jerusalem He goes
Something about His being stirs me to my toes
I am compelled to follow but I don’t know why
Looking at Him now He seems an ordinary guy
But His presence is so powerful I must go and see
Just who this man is from the shores of Galilee
Some say He’s the Messiah who heals the sick and lame
Others say He’s not, I wonder about His game
As the sun slowly rises the darkness fades to dawn
The city of Jerusalem starts to move and yawn
Suddenly I see Him in the distance with His clan
I rise up to follow, I don’t even have a plan
He’s seated on a donkey, I can hear them talk
Along the dusty road to town I now join the walk
As we enter the gates of the city a crowd awaits Him there
Throwing down palm branches and the cloaks that they did wear
Singing Hosanna to the King of Kings
Waving high their arms as their praises ring
I blend into the crowd but I didn’t lose sight
Of this man on a donkey whose presence seemed so right
I followed Him down the road to see what He would do
Many others followed, some stuck to Him like glue
Each day I rose and followed Him at a distance though
His twelve disciples with Him everywhere He’d go
He told many stores that didn’t quite make sense
He spoke with great fervor with no hint of pretense
Passover was upon us they found a room prepared
Together with his disciples bread and wine they shared
They went out in the darkness and I saw them walk
Through the dusty evening I watched them like a hawk
I trailed them all the way to the Mount of Olives peak
He walked away from the others and I could hear Him speak
He was praying in the garden with all His heart and soul
Drops of blood He sweat as He knelt down on that knoll
Asking His Father to take what was to come away
But He bowed His will as His Father He’d obey
He returned to His disciples and a crowd swarmed in
The biggest battle of good and evil at that moment did begin
His own disciple Judas betrayed Him with a kiss
Right away the others knew something was amiss
Soldiers came with swords and clubs in the dark of night
The officers arrested Him and I too saw His plight
They beat and mocked Him as they awaited the dawn
They led Him off to Pilate with the charges they laid on
Pilate found Him innocent and washed his hands of the Lord
But he had Jesus flogged then turned Him over to the horde
They stripped Him and then put a thorny crown on His head
Made Him carry His cross on the road where they led
The blood was dripping from His battered body so weak
As He had to listen to His accusers mock and shriek
He stumbled and He fell beneath the heavy load
I watched Him in agony laying on Golgotha’s road
Simon of Cyrene was charged to carry the cross up the hill
As Jesus trudged forward to do His Father’s will
They nailed His hands and feet and lifted Him to the sky
There they surrounded Him and waited for Him to die
Darkness descended in the middle of the day
“My God, My God why have you forsaken Me” He was heard to say
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do”
“Into Your hands I commit My spirit” then His earthly life was through
I stood there in disbelief at all that I had seen
The changes from a week ago to this, seemed obscene
They took His body down and laid Him in a tomb
Enclosed again like He had been in Mary’s womb
A stone was rolled to shut Him in and guards were placed there
I walked away with my head down and offered up a prayer
I felt so lost and all alone like the light had gone away
I didn’t know just what to do after this whole week’s display
I went away to process all the things I had beheld
I was sure He was Messiah every part of me compelled
To follow Him and listen for that very short week
Now how I longed, to once again hear Him speak
I fell into a deep sleep that seemed to last for days
When I awoke I felt like I was in such a haze
Then I heard rejoicing sounds drifting on the air
I had to find out where it was to get out of this despair
Then Mary ran past me shouting out Jesus lives again
The only One to conquer death as a mortal man
I hurried to find Him who death did once enclose
For Something about His being stirred me to my toes
He said you believe in Me for your mortal eyes did see
Now go out and tell the world the good news about Me
Prepare to come and live with Me all you who know I’m true
When you give your life to me, I will make you new
I died for your transgressions, paid the price you couldn’t pay
I’m going now to heaven but I’ll be back one day
Debbie Preuss ©
Easter 2018