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Today is Good Friday, a holiday I never really thought about growing up. We never got it off from school or had any special activity at church, so it was never more than a passing thought. I just thought that is was a part of the Catholic calendar that I need not pay attention to, kind of like Ash Wednesday. Easter, however, was a rather big to-do with Easter baskets, chocolate bunnies, Easter dresses, and Easter eggs.
I’ve since come to realize the importance of Good Friday. Without Christ’s death, there is no resurrection. Yes, Christ’s resurrection is something worth celebrating (without which we have no hope – 1 Corinthians 15), but in a rather more somber way Good Friday deserves celebrating, too.
On this day we remember the work that Christ did on our behalf. Because you and I have sinned against an infinite, holy God, we are worthy of eternal punishment. That’s the just reward for our actions. No amount of good works can counteract the wretchedness that we are.
Yet God did not leave us there. Instead of requiring of us what we cannot do, He did it for us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life and to die. Since He did not sin, His death wasn’t deserved or necessary. He chose to die that we might live (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Our Savior died not because of His sins (since He didn’t have any), but because of ours. Good Friday is somber not because He died (after all, He comes back to life!), but it’s because of our sins that He suffered so.
Understanding Good Friday gives proper perspective to Resurrection Sunday, Easter. It allows us to remember why it is a holiday!
While God did the work of salvation on our behalf, He forces it on no one. He offers it up as a gift, one that you and I can choose to take. This changes everything for the one who accepts this gift. As a Reliant K song says, “The beauty of grace is that it makes life unfair.” Instead of being rightfully cursed, we are unjustifiably blessed!
If you are a Christian, I challenge you to spend some time thinking on the Cross today, maybe reading Isaiah 53 or one of the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion (such as Matthew 27:11-61). If you aren’t a Christian, but are curious about what Good Friday is all about, I would suggest that you check those passages out as well.
If you have any questions about what I’ve said or would like to discuss this, please leave a comment or email me. I know that I might not have been as clear as I would have liked.
Happy Good Friday to all!
Hi Ronnica, I think your point is crystal clear. The salvation message in a nutshell. I want to send people over to read this.
God bless!
Brenda
Hi Ronnica, I think your point is crystal clear. The salvation message in a nutshell. I want to send people over to read this.
God bless!
Brenda
Hi Ronnica, I think your point is crystal clear. The salvation message in a nutshell. I want to send people over to read this.
God bless!
Brenda
This was well put Ronnica. I fpund you through Brenda and I am glad she pointed me this way. It is a somber day. I have wished people a happy Good Friday and it seems strange to say that in light of what this day remembers. But It is worth mentioning and Happy is the only thing I know to say. I am so thankful that He died for me because I am indeed wretched. He would have died for me if I were the only sinner needing salvation. What Love!
Jennifer
Ahem “found”. That would be found you through Brenda. :)
Jen
Hi. Brenda pointed me in your direction. I’m glad I stopped by. I enjoyed your post and say Amen. It was well said.
I am yet another one directed here by Brenda. I copied and pasted your comment below because I wanted you to see what my particular comment was brought to mind by.
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Yet God did not leave us there. Instead of requiring of us what we cannot do, He did it for us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life and to die. Since He did not sin, His death wasn’t deserved or necessary. He chose to die that we might live (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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I am a music person. Singer (all my life of 70 years) and at present a choir director. I think in musical phrases. Your comment above brought to mind the line in one song: HE DID NOT COME DOWN, and yet another song that our choir did yesterday: THAT’S WHAT THE BLOOD WAS FOR, to pay what we could never afford.
It is something we will never be able to understand. I have a whole list of questions to ask when I finally get “there”. Connie
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A good word, RJ! Love you friend!