Today I am reflecting on the Cross, where Jesus was crucified on the original Good Friday — “good” meaning “holy” (versus “good” like “happy”) — a day where God Himself endured the most good/Holy deed that would be necessary to reach Easter Sunday for the possibility of saving all of humanity…
His trial was clearly unfair, rigged (even to the bewilderment of the governor Pontius Pilate tasked with executing the sentence, see John 18:28-19:16, esp. John 19:8-11)…His death sentence brutal, cruel and grueling, emotionally and physically. Spiritually, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, allowed Himself to be cut off from God the Father, that He could bear the weight of the sins of the world in His body, such that He might die as the perfect sacrifice.
Personally, it is important for me to remember Jesus on the Cross, to spend time at least once each year on Good Friday (and hopefully much more often!!) reflecting on what Jesus suffered, what He endured…lest I forget Jesus’ ability to sympathize with whatever trials or difficulties I personally face, and lest I forget the all-sufficiency of His sacrifice to free not only myself (but all people) from the power and penalty of sin once and for all–that we are free to relate to, seek and serve God, rather than remain enslaved to sin and death.
(1) Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses…with our trials, our temptations, our greatest fears and suffering. There really is nothing that I have or may face in this life where I can honestly say, Jesus would not be able to understand how bad my situation is…
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time.”
(2) Jesus’ sacrifice of His perfect, blameless self, has paid the sufficient price for our sins, once and for all! It was and will forever be enough. He has paid this for me…and He has also paid this for you. Who am I then to judge, whether myself, or anyone at all? If God has deemed someone worth forgiving, and someone as possible to redeem to right relationship with Himself– myself and others who desire to respond in kind–who am I to oppose or object or judge differently?
“Such a high priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:26)
Reading the GOOD FRIDAY Events in the Bible*:
- Matthew 27 (full Easter story: Matthew 26-28)
- Mark 15 (full Easter story: Mark 14-16)
- Luke 22:66-23:56 (full Easter story: Luke 22-24)
- John 18:28-19:42 (full Easter story: John 12-21)