Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and I spent this morning in reflection of this Holy Day, as there is much to think about. I give thanks to our Lord for this precious day.

Our first Bible reading takes us to 1st., Peter Chapter 2 verses 22 to 23 and in my Good News Bible it reads as follows:
(22)  He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips.
(23)When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God, the righteous judge.
Our second Bible reading is in Matthew Chapter 26 verse 31,
(31 )Then Jesus said to them,  “This very night all of you will run away and leave me, for the Scripture says, “God will kill the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

The third Bible reading is found in Matthew Chapter 27 verse 55
(55 ) There  were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and helped Him.

Now let me share with you what God shared me this morning. Today we realized Jesus was sent to the cross a sinless man. Our first reading says, He committed no sin, so why should he die such a horrible death? The answer can be found in 2nd. Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 21 (from the Good News Bible.)
(21) Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made Him share our sin in order that in union with Him we might share the righteousness of God.

In other words He(Jesus) took our sin to the cross and died in our place so that God would accept us and we would have a right relationship with our heavenly Father. He (God) loved us so much he sent Jesus to the cross in our place. Just meditate on that for a few moments.- - -  Let our hope be in God, the righteous judge, as said in Scripture.

Reading number 2 says in part, the sheep of the flock will scatter. Isn’t that the truth?  In this world today many people have not/will not/do not except Christ, “as the lamb that was slain”, on our behalf. Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 2, from the Good News Bible reads:
(2) Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us as a sweet smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

 No one else could have taken our place but Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

How many people worldwide have run away from Jesus, or have never run into His arms and received the gift He purchased for us on Good Friday on that old rugged cross? Please, do not let yourself be among the sheep that will scatter. Come to Him today because on Good Friday He died for you and me. He grew the tree that He knew would be the old rugged Cross.This is the title of a song and the words of this beautiful song ring true on this day.

Now reading number 3 tells us “many women were there, looking from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and helped him.”
Today many people “look on“ from a distance. They watch us Christians and many thoughts go through their mind. Our walk with our Savior and our talk about our Savior, will either draw people to Christ or turn them away. We must be very careful in our daily presentation of ourselves in holiness to our Lord. Let the world see we belong to Him. Psalm 19 verse 14, from the Good News Bible; instructs us by saying to us:
(14 )May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,  oh Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!
So let our words and thoughts lift Jesus higher than any other and may we reflect His character as we engage with all people.

Today at 3 PM I encourage you to look up,  to praise God,  and give thanks to God for giving us the greatest gift He could give. He sent His Son to bear our sins in His body on the cross. Jesus willingly gave His life, will you willingly and thankfully give your life to him? Please give this serious thought and when accept Him today, you will be glad you did when you take your last breath here and stand in His presence in heaven. Then you will fully understand the gift of this day.

Please join me in the comfort of your home at 3 PM to stop what you’re doing and either sing or speak the words of this familiar old hymn, (The Old Rugged Cross), in reflection of this Holy Day.

         The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,  For a world of loss sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged Cross, And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above, To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged Cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on  that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, It’s shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Thank you Lord for Good Friday as we continue “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:3 (in part)