Good Friday?!?
The day of the week Jesus died on the cross was Friday. Over the years, the Christian Church has come to call this day of Jesus’ death, “Good Friday”. The question could be raised: “Why would we call the day Jesus was crucified on a cross, ‘Good’?” I think that’s a good question. For the answer, I will take you to various passages in the Bible that help us understand the wonderful good that took place on the Friday Jesus died. Remember, the cross has been a symbol in the Christian Church reminding us of the love of God and His salvation to our souls. In these verses that follow, read these verses and do not rush through them. Each verse will speak of the wonder and the glory of the cross.
Reason for the Cross: To save me a sinner
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
Cross is the wages of our sin
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
God’s love stamped on the Cross
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16)
Jesus took our sins to the Cross
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Jesus took our punishment for sin on the Cross
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28)
Jesus destroyed our sin on the Cross
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
Jesus satisfied God on our behalf on the Cross
“We have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:1,2)
Jesus offers peace with God from the Cross
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19,20)
Jesus defeated Satan on the Cross
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)
Jesus offers heaven from the Cross
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Can we see why the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross that Friday afternoon was a “Good Friday?” From that awful day (for Jesus our Savior), came the most wonderful good. On the cross: Jesus took our sin to the cross; Was punished for our sin; Then destroyed our sin; Defeated Satan; Presents us to God as ‘righteous’; Makes peace between God and us; Secures for us heaven and eternal life.
Good Friday? It’s more than ‘Good’. I’d like us to begin calling that day, “Incredible, Awesome, Amazing, Magnificent, Dazzling, Sensational, Spectacular, Heroic, Mind-boggling Friday.” Whatever we call it, what Jesus did on the cross that Friday changed the world forever and made eternal life for us possible. What a day!
Pastor Mark
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