Holy Week: Good Friday

Good Friday

On Good Friday, we stop to remember the crucifixion of Jesus and what it means for us. The day of Jesus’ death was of the darkest sort humanity has seen. By all appearance, it was the day darkness, brutality and evil triumphed. In order to truly grasp the beauty of the cross, we must see it as an event in sequence, like the climactic peak in an ornate orchestral piece. There is torture, death and burial, but afterward come resurrection, new life and the breaking of chains. The true beauty is this: Jesus won through the cross. And unified with Him through faith, we win too. We are unified with Him in His death so that we might “walk with Him in the newness of life.”

Jesus’ death fulfills the requirements of God’s justice so we can enjoy His mercy, but our union with Christ also allows us to be resurrected with Him. The end result isn’t only forgiveness. It’s glorious new life. Oftentimes, we focus on forgiveness so much we forget the rebirth that comes after. The cross is a crucial moment in the narrative of salvation and new life, but it’s not the whole narrative. God used the cross as the gate through which a new world of freedom and continuing light is opened to us. The veil is torn. Now we walk through and then keep walking in a brand-new way. The cross is not the end. It is really the beginning.

Pray
Jesus, how can we thank you for what you suffered for us? All we have is humility to receive what you give and renewing gratefulness to walk forward with You. Let us receive all the benefits of Your sacrifice: The death blow you struck to sin. The freedom from its ultimate power over us. Hope and a looking-forward-to eternal life without darkness or sorrow. Freedom from fear of death. An overflowing source of thankfulness that can transform our every action into precious worship. Holiness and complete cleansing for our past, present and future. Access to the presence of the Most High God.

Remind us of everything we can have because of everything You gave. And let us walk in those things in a whole new way–not just for today–but from this time forward. Amen.

Read
Matthew 27; Romans 6:1-9