Good Friday

We enter into one of the most important times of the year for followers of Christ around the world.  Today is the day we remember the suffering and brutality that Jesus endured on our behalf.  He took the punishment that was rightfully ours. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  I think also of a song that says "It's an unfair deal on the part of Christ: He got my sin, I got eternal life."  If we stop to really think about that, it should bring us to our knees in worship. This is our hope of glory.

Ours is the only faith where we are powerless to save ourselves. Our good deeds can never do anything to bring us salvation.  Many see this as a stumbling block: "What do you mean I can't be good enough? I feel as though I am a good person. That should be enough, right?" Nope. It doesn't matter how many times we go to church, or how many people we help, or how many benevolent organizations we give our money to. These are all great things to do, but they can do nothing to save us. Then where is our hope? How can anyone be saved?

Our greatest hope is found in our greatest weakness. While we are completely powerless to effect our own salvation, God is completely powerful to do so. And He has! Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross to bear our sins. That is the story of Good Friday. But it is not the end of the story... It is not the final verse...

"The Power of the Cross"

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the victory cry

This, the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.