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The Friday that was Good

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The Son of God and Son of Man had been tried and convicted. Jesus had been rushed through a ramshackle trial. He had been whipped, bloodied and scourged all because he claimed to be God's son. He was seen as dangerous, an insurrectionist and a revolutionary. The Romans and the Jews were getting nervous. Something had to be done. The only way to stop this man was to put him to death and death by crucifixion would silence him forever, or so they thought. Jesus said many times that all this was going to happen to him to disciples still unwilling or unable to picture this kind of savior or salvation. They rejected it out right.

That trend continues today. They just could not see how this kind of suffering and death could accomplish anything. The disciples wanted, prayed and hoped that Jesus would put a stop to it all. Others doubted, denied, turned tail and ran. In it all Jesus never put the brakes on. He never stopped the runaway train that led straight to the cross and crucifixion. His Father’s will and not his own desire must be done. Instead Jesus was nailed to the cross by wicked men to take on himself that very wickedness. This is humanity’s darkest day.

This was Christ's most important day. Jesus suffered and died on the cross in our place. It was not his sin that he bore but ours. It was not to his shame that he was on the cross but ours. It was not his wrongdoing that caused him to be punished and killed but ours. It is only now in looking back at what happened at the cross that we see the true beauty, severity and love of Jesus the Savior. It is finally as we see God’s Son killed and put to death that we can no longer deny God’s love for us. There is no denying that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the most significant event in human history only to be matched by his resurrection 3 days later.

When you see the cross and crucifixion you should see and feel the weight of your own sin. The punishment was poured out on the innocent and willing son of God.  All the wrath (God’s righteous hatred for sin) that you deserved is taken out on the holy and wholly innocent Lamb of God instead of you.  The cross and resurrection should remind you of the ugliness and the penalty of your own sin. It should also remind you of the love of God in making a way for you and I to be declared right with a God who wants to spend all of eternity with you.  Jesus would not have endured the cross had it not been absolutely necessary.  It is historically verified that he did, why? To save you. Trust in Christ can bring you into God’s presence without it meaning your death and bring you into God’s family not as slaves begrudgingly invited, but instead as God’s sons and daughters. “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Hebrews 2:10    

Think with me of the day when we can look at the severity and the mercy of Good Friday from the other side of Christ’s return.  It will be glorious. We will finally see the savior who endured the cross receive the glory that is forever due him. Revelation 5:11-13 describes that day “11  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12  saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

As Good Friday and Easter are in front of us, prepare your hearts. Consider the severity, mercy and love of the cross.  Be sure that you are in Christ, that he has died for you to take your sins. Be sure that you have received and trusted the salvation that he has suffered and died on the cross to secure for you. May this time leading up to Easter be encouraging and helpful for you.

In Christ, My Only Hope, Pastor Steven

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