‘For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.’ (Romans 5:6-9)
Such a poignant day, Good Friday. The day we remember the greatest sacrifice of all, and one that brings life for all who believe in Christ, and know Him. He did indeed die for our sins, and in His death and resurrection defeated sin and death. Our free gift is life restored to God, spending eternity with our Heavenly Father, no longer separated by a veil or darkness, rather seated in Him and with Him in the throne room of our Lord. He forgives our sins, and once and for all paid the dreadful price we could not pay. All we have to do now is humble ourselves and receive this forgiveness and no longer walk in our shame.
‘”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”‘ (John 3:16-18)
And yet first comes the one things we must do, the only thing that opens heavens doors, that is to believe in Him as Lord and Saviour. Confessing with our mouth He is Christ, and believing in our heart, and getting to know Him. Walking out our salvation is a journey, and one enabled by the Holy Spirit who comes in to our heart as we believe in Him. This journey involves turning our face to the Lord, away from our life in darkness (where we were away from Him), and allowing our Lord to shine His light on our hidden sins and cleansing us to make us more like Him. This hurts, and we are promised that as He suffered, so we will, for in doing so we are shaped in to His image, and more of Him is revealed in us. For we too are to be His light bearers that others may turn to Jesus. Knowing Him looks like something, we walk to love Him, obeying our Heavenly Father, being like Him, and do as He would do…placing others first. Yes at time, perhaps many, failing, but dusting of ourselves we seek His forgiveness, and get back up and walk with Him…He so loves our fight for Him.
Why we He die for us even as we continued in our sin, and perhaps were know different from those who looked on and jeered Jesus as He hung on the cross? Because His cry, the one that brought blood from Him, is that we become the sons and daughters of God our Father desires us to be, and to be back in His family, reunited with God. Yes,in obedience to His Father, Christ did set is face like flint to the Cross of Calvary, but beyond this was the call of love.
‘Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together’. (Romans 8:12-17)
As we believe in Him, He sends the Holy Spirit to us, and by Him makes His home in us. The Spirit of God to reminding us that we are sons and daughters of Almighty God.
Indeed it is GOOD Friday,and perhaps even this reminds us that what is good in God, sometimes seems quite the opposite to our mind or body. The good of God saw His only beloved Son set on a journey that involved pain, anguish, rejection, and death…because He knew it would lead to try life, and the greater good of our freedom. Through it all the joy of knowing true love, and the hope of seeing many coming to be with Him in to His Father’s Kingdom. Now we too, can be His ambassadors, carry this true message of hope, love, and life, so others may receive the adoption of our loving, Heavenly Father, as they gaze on the face of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:10-12
‘”let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”’
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