Though today's weather was glorious, I was prompted several times to pause and think about what Christians around the world are observing today. Today is "Good Friday", a day we observe our Lord's death, a cruel, horrible, merciless one. As our pastor commented last night in a short meditation, during this time in Jesus life, all the fellowship, love, relationship, delight, glory, etc. he'd know with his Father were completely removed. Imagine your darkest days a bazillion times darker, and maybe we're approaching the experience of Jesus that day. We'll never really know. What a time it must have been: Jesus, bearing the wrath that mankind deserved; his followers, confused by the horrible situation; God the Father and God the Spirit, pouring out the punishment for all sin ever on God the Son.
What?! Can I even continue to type? It's holy ground, but at the time it must have just baffled the Jesus followers, who had such hopes for the King of the Jews.
But Jesus was dealing with their real "issue." Our real issue. And in the only real way with which it could be dealt. Is sin really that bad? Yes it is. Yes, an innocent man had to die, and not simply innocent, a perfect man.
What?! Can I even continue to type? It's holy ground, but at the time it must have just baffled the Jesus followers, who had such hopes for the King of the Jews.
But Jesus was dealing with their real "issue." Our real issue. And in the only real way with which it could be dealt. Is sin really that bad? Yes it is. Yes, an innocent man had to die, and not simply innocent, a perfect man.
It is a solemn day. A day for contemplation. A day to consider. A day that changed all of history.
It makes me eagerly look forward to Sunday morning. It is a victory worthy of the most joyous of celebrations!
It makes me eagerly look forward to Sunday morning. It is a victory worthy of the most joyous of celebrations!
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, o my soul
and forget not all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103: 1-5
jeff and i were just talking yesterday about the maundy thursday and good friday services prior to easter - it really makes you remember the entire sacrifice that Christ made for us. thanks for the post!
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