Holy Week: Good Friday
A Day of Lament
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – Jesus (John 14:6)
Weakened by the brutal flogging He received from the Romans, Jesus was unable to bear the weight of the cross as He walked to Golgotha. He, however, was able to bear the weight of the world’s sins while on the cross. The wrath He bore brought forgiveness. His death brought life. The hate from the religious leaders and those who mocked Him didn’t diminish His love for them. He asked forgiveness for them because He knew they were blind to what they were doing. His followers, some watching, some hiding, didn’t comprehend what was happening as they grieved for Him. But Jesus knew. He knew the work He was doing on the cross was a necessary act of love, mercy, and grace that would bring hope to not only those who stood before Him, but to billions of others for generations to come.
But the time to rejoice is not now. Today is a day of lament. In order to grasp the work done for us on the cross, we must first grieve over our sins. If we don’t understand what wretches we truly are and how we deserve death, then we can’t fully appreciate and rejoice over our salvation.
Our sin has enslaved us to death and driven us away from our Heavenly Father. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, we have rebelled against our Holy Creator, setting ourselves up as those who know better. Only we don’t. Instead, our sin and our choices are leading us to a bodily death and eternal suffering in Hell, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Worst though is that we will be eternally separated from God. Jesus died for us though so we wouldn’t have to endure all of that. His death frees us from sin, rescues us from the pit of Hell, and reconciles us to our Holy Creator, Father God. His blood cleanses us and purifies us. He did all of that out of love for us.
Just as His mother and followers grieved over Jesus, we should grieve Him as well. His death was cruel and painful. He suffered separation from His Heavenly Father. Again, Jesus went through all of that for us. He didn’t deserve it, but He chose it because He loved us so much. We may never grasp the fullness of His love this side of Heaven, but understanding the huge debt that was paid on our behalf is a good starting place.
Jesus’s crucifixion changed the world forever. Through His death we now have forgiveness for our sins. We have been washed clean. The chasm between God and man has been fixed and the path opened to those who choose to accept Jesus as their Savior. Though we may lament today, Good Friday, we hold hope knowing Resurrection Sunday will be here soon. Then, it will be time to rejoice.
For more thoughts on Good Friday, please read my post from last year: What’s So Good About Good Friday?.
Note: You may have noticed this week that I use words such as “choose” and “accept” often. I do this to remind you that accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is a choice you make. You can refuse to accept Him, but then you are also refusing the forgiveness, redemption, and grace He offers you. We are all born sinners and destined for Hell. Through His death, those who choose to accept Him as their Savior are given so many things. We are given forgiveness of sins, redemption with God, and eternal life with Him. Any one of those things would have been enough, but God generously lavished His love and grace upon us. John 10:10 says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” (emphasis mine). And, abundantly, He did give us life. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, here’s what you do:
“…confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13
Then, find a good church (one that preaches from the Bible) and begin reading and studying the Bible (I recommend the ESV Study Bible and begin reading the Gospel of John found in the New Testament). You can also check out some of my posts geared towards new believers:
New to the Faith: Now What?
New to the Faith: How Do I Study the Bible?
New to the Faith: How Do I Pray?
