Last Sunday, via Facetime with our grandsons, the youngest asked (with rolled eyes and shrugged shoulders),
Why do they call it GOOD Friday? I mean, he died!
It’s an age-old question, isn’t it?
And last weekend, our grandson (whose 8th birthday is today—now that’s a good Friday!) took his turn asking it . . .
Good Friday: The term we Christians use to acknowledge the day Jesus died on a cross.
Willingly.
His crucifixion amidst jeers and and hatred was the beginning of a series of days that would forever change history.
It was part of a plan of unbelievable love for mankind — every one of us . . .
. . . but it began with immense personal pain and selfless sacrifice.
Jesus, the human image of the holy God, fulfilled his life’s purpose by dying on a brutal cross, taking on the sin of the world for all eternity.
Sin is real. Sin has consequences.
Sin can be forgiven — covered by the blood of Jesus.
That’s GOOD news.
Good Friday set in motion the next part of the plan to offer hope and salvation and eternal security to every person—every one of us!
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
But today I fight against the urge to race to Sunday.
I focus on the pain.
I grieve.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell . . .
I recognize my own unworthiness.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24
The crucifixion of Christ is a common theme in religious art. The artworks featured in this post were seen in the shop that struck me silent. Read about it HERE.
Beautiful, Susan, both this and Maudy Thursday post. I spent almost the entire day in my kitchen yesterday, standing, cooking, baking and cleaning up. My legs and back were so tired and restless when I finally went to bed. It was a good night for prayer, reflecting on Jesus’ Last Supper and the pain he would endure today. We are blessed! Happy Easter.
We are blessed, indeed! Happy Easter, Rita. I’m glad you’re staying safe and well!
This is such an important post, Susan. I too want to rush to Sunday. But we need to sit in Friday and Saturday first. My heart grieves as well. I look forward to tomorrow! Praying you and your family have a blessed Easter!