April 10, 2020 “So, What is so Good about Good Friday?”
Read John 19:1-30…The key verse is… Jesus said, “It Is Finished.” With that, HE bowed HIS head and gave up the Spirit… John 19:30
I wonder if anyone, on that day, would have called this Friday; Good. Caiaphas and these Pharisees had gotten rid of a popular and persuasive preacher, yet, you have to wonder, at what price? Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, reluctantly allowed Jesus to be crucified to appease the Jewish mob, and their leaders, who were demanding that Jesus be put to death. Pilate, feeling the pressure, turned Jesus over to this Jewish execution squad. This was just another death sentence that they were to carry out, along with two others that day. This was business as usual until the Centurion realized that this man was different, he was special; He is the Son of God! “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54)
I believe that the disciples would not have called this day, “Good,” until they encountered the risen Christ. I wonder if Jesus, who suffered unimaginable pain and agony would say that Friday was “good?” Think about the scene that played out at Gethsemane, the night before. Jesus was praying and begged His Father to spare Him from His awful mission. Jesus knew His role, He knew His purpose and He knew His destiny, yet, in His humanity, He called out, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) Could it be possible, that later, back in Heaven with His Father, that He could finally say with confidence, “Father, that really was a ‘GOOD DAY!’” This Friday, and every Friday can be “Good,” if we embrace Jesus’ mission and claim His victory and surrender our lives to Him. The truth is; that we have been given a gift of eternal relationship with God the Father, because of what Jesus did at Calvary! I implore you to recognize this amazing act of Love and embrace it, claim it and enjoy it! So, all of this begs the question: “IS THIS A GOOD FRIDAY FOR YOU?” It can be! Recognize that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:10, 23); and that the wages of our sins is death (Rom. 6:23); that Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross (Rom. 5:8); and that Salvation comes by faith, that is, by confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts (Rom. 10:9, 10); so, Call on the Lord for salvation and get saved (Rom. 10:13). The message of Easter is clear…HE loves us, HE provides for us and HE will save us! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!