“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
“God undertook the most dramatic rescue operation in cosmic history. He determined to save the human race from self-destruction, and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to salvage and redeem them. The work of man’s redemption was accomplished at the cross.” —Billy Graham
Good Friday could have easily been called Bad Friday because of Jesus’s agony that day. It was the darkest day the world had ever known. We call it Good Friday because, through His sacrifice, Jesus took the cup that held the world’s sins—my sins and your sins. He took the ugliness and reproach of sin upon Himself so that we might one day have eternal life. Jesus willingly went to the cross, laid down His life, and fulfilled His earthly mission. He shed His blood on the cross so that the souls of all who believe in Him would be redeemed. It was a glorious exchange—His life for ours. How humbling it is to know that we were on His mind when He was on that old, rugged cross.
But wait! The best news of all is coming! Three days later, Jesus arose from the grave, just as He said He would. Jesus, the hope of the world, defeated death and the grave, thereby promising the same to all who place their faith and trust in Him.
So, what will we do with the message of the cross? Of Jesus’ and His salvation plan? Will we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior or reject Him? If asked who Jesus Christ is to you, would you be able to say, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior?” When all is said and done, we must all make a choice. No one else can make it for us. Are we for Him or against Him? There is no in-between. I hope you’ve already decided to follow Him. If not, now would be a perfect time to head in His direction—away from the things that so easily distract and cause us to be separated from Him.
Down through the ages, one thing has never changed: God is still redeeming the hearts and lives of men, women, boys, and girls through faith in Jesus Christ. Because of that very thing, we can say without hesitation that Good Friday was a day filled with eternal hope. Today, may we claim Jesus as our very own. May we praise Him, serve Him, and show gratitude for what He has done for us. May we honor Him throughout our lives until we are united with Him in glory. What a day that will be!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, what You did by sending Your only Son to the cross is something we could never repay. We thank You from the bottom of our hearts for making a way when there was no other way. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and we ask You to forgive us. Help us to live according to Your Word so that we might spread the light of Jesus to those around us. Help us to go forward with renewed passion for sharing Your story and Word with others so they might know the joys of faith in Christ. I pray this in His name, the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.
His Life For Mine – Lauren Tally
His heart was broken; mine was mended
He became a sin; now I am clean.
The cross he carried bore my burden.
The nails that held him set me free.
Chorus:
His life for mine, his life for mine
How could it ever be?
That he would die, God’s son would die
To save a wretch like me
What love divine, he gave his life for mine.
His scars of suffering brought me healing
He spilled his blood to fill my soul.
His sorrow gave me joy untold
His crown of thorns made me royalty
Chorus:
His life for mine, his life for mine
How could it ever be?
That he would die, God’s son would die
To save a wretch like me
What love divine, he gave his life for mine.
He was despised and rejected, stripped of his garments, and oppressed
I am loved and accepted, and I wear a robe of righteousness
Chorus:
His life for mine, his life for mine
How could it ever be?
That he would die, God’s son would die
To save a wretch like me
What love divine, he gave his life for mine.
