Good Friday

Good Friday.

It seems silly to call a day like today "good." After being falsely accused and sentenced, Jesus was taken to Golgotha to be crucified. On the cross, he was mocked and insulted. There he hung, like a criminal, bearing the weight of the sin of the world. Yet, even in His suffering, He thought of those that sent Him there. Luke 23:24 tell us "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.'"

He knew why He was there and what was expected of Him. He did it willingly, but that didn't stop the fear He had. In His darkest moment, Jesus cried out to God. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 16:34) Even Jesus, who was without sin, cried out in doubt and fear to God. It is a normal response when in a difficult or stressful situation to doubt whether God is with you. But we need to remember that God has promised never to forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is always with us!

The reason today is so good is that, through Jesus suffering and death, He fulfilled the scriptures of the past. "But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) Jesus made today good by taking our sin upon Himself. He gave us the greatest gift ever, one that we can never repay, and one that we should never forget.