“Good Friday” had not been a good day. Jesus had been arrested and drug out of the garden, taken from one mock trial to another, accused of blasphemy, beaten beyond what most men could endure, and then condemned to death. There on Golgotha He was spiked to a cross through His wrists and ankles and then lifted up in excruciating humiliation for the entire world to witness. Hours of agony passed as He struggled for each breath. Seven times He pushed up in anguish against the nails to say a word of forgiveness, hope, care, loneliness, thirst, completion, and love.

In these moments it was revealed what was so ‘Good’ about Friday. As Jesus hung there as the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World’, He provided the way of hope and salvation for everyone who would call on the name of the Lord; believing in the Son of God. His suffering and death took away the curse of being under the Law. As long as Adam and Eve believed God and His Word, they would have ‘life’ – an abundant life full of joy and beautiful fellowship with God. But when they listened to the word of the deceiver and trusted in their own understanding, they made themselves vulnerable to horrendous evil that required the giving of the Law. They and all mankind would now suffer under the consequences of ‘their own choices to Love someone or something more than God.’ And God pronounced a curse on this; a curse that all who would sin like them will inherit (Gen 3:17-18). Death and sin entered the human experience and with them, terrible affliction and trouble.

But on the Cross that gloriously dreadful day, Jesus bore the entirety of God’s perfect wrath towards all sin as it was poured from the cup of perfect Justice upon Him. He also as the One crushed under the weight of iniquity’s penalty, as well as ‘pierced for our transgressions (Is 53:5), reversed the curse and opened the way to The Father again for those who enter through His work of righteousness by faith in Him.

Yes, everything to do with sin and evil is horrible. What Jesus went through that day for you and for me is beyond our comprehension of atrocious…. Yet, what Jesus has provided us through it all is Good!  And it is to “this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “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.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25) On Good Friday we recognize the Goodness of God’s gift of salvation through the ‘Completed’ work of the Son of God. Jesus now stands at the door of your heart knocking with nail scarred hands, ready… willing… and able to fill you up with life abundant from the fount of everlasting joy. Won’t you open up and gasp hold of His Hand today? This is Good!

Choose wisely…

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

(Psalms 23:6)

Praying 4 U

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Judges 16-18| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us… — 1 John 3:16

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 71:14