It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1)
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
On this 39th day of our 40-day journey, we arrive at a pivotal point in history. Our focus this year has been on challenges. Certainly, the death of Jesus, which Good Friday commemorates, addresses the greatest challenge of humanity – our separation from God.
Let’s quickly catch up on where we have been so far this week and then return to the events of Good Friday. We have been considering qualities of Jesus that make him the best port of call when we face challenges. In doing so, we have focused on qualities Jesus exhibited in the days leading up to his death and resurrection. On Monday, we saw that Jesus Cares. On Tuesday, we saw that Jesus knows us and He is straight with us (He speaks the truth in love). On Wednesday, we saw that He shows us how to live (He is not just theoretical). And yesterday, we saw that Jesus actively seeks our good.
Today we examine the quality that subsumes all the other qualities and is the core of who Jesus is. This quality was demonstrated on the cross – Jesus loves us beyond measure. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
When you are faced with a challenge there is no better person to turn to than Jesus because He loves you beyond measure. On the cross, He paid the price for our sins, which addresses our existential challenge. In His life, He provides all that we need to face every challenge.
Please reflect on the passages above, and contemplate the love of Jesus.
Today’s Request:
As you reflect on the price Jesus paid for our salvation on this Good Friday, please feel free to share what His death means to you.
April 14, 2017 at 7:36 am
Jesus’ death means that he paid the price for our sins and opened the door for us to get eternal life. Essentially, his death has ironically facilitated in giving us eternal life. Likewise, we need to continue to put our flesh to death, as we live by the Spirit.
April 14, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Yes on the cross Christ answers our existential challenge and gives life meaning. How boring life became, how wearisome, how repressive – flirting with every impulse and desire and still nothing satisfied. There is something to this Christian faith because it filled the gnawing void that rattled increasingly to my very bones.
The Bible tells us God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
What if God did not love mankind? What if Christ through his death and resurrection did not open heaven’s door to those who would believe? Shutting us out forever? What would life be like then? An empty desert space where men live and die worse than beasts – at least beasts don’t have souls, don’t have consciences, don’t have the desire for eternity ringing in their souls. If Christ did not die I would better off being a dog or better yet not have lived at all. This is what Christ’s death means to me.
April 14, 2017 at 9:03 pm
His death fills me with awe and gratitude. I am so undeserving of His love, and yet He gave His life for me. Donnie McClurkin’s song “Just for Me” describes exactly how I feel whenever I think of how much He loves us.
April 14, 2017 at 9:18 pm
April 14, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Reflecting on the death of Jesus raises many questions. For example, why did Jesus have to die? Why the ignominy of the cross? Sometimes God acts in dramatic ways but He is not a drama king. He uses many means to get our attention but He is not after popularity ratings. Every single act of God is supremely calculated to bring about His glory and the good of those who trust Him. So, I know the answers to my questions about the cross are wrapped in the sovereign plan of God revealed in His word.
I am, therefore, drawn back to some Biblical basics. Sin is abhorrent to God but He allowed man to choose. Our choice led to the death that justice demands. God is just. He is also love personified. So, God needed to reconcile sin, justice and grace. The death of Jesus on the cross satisfied the price of sin and, therefore met the demands of justice. That same death was an act of love that offers grace – the only way to undo our spiritually death. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Oh the wonder of the cross……..
April 14, 2017 at 9:25 pm
Jesus’s death clearly shows His love for us. John 3:16. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved. While we were sinners He died for us.
His death removed the barriers between God & us..
When Jesus died the veil of the temple was torn, from the top downwards. It opened up the inner sanctuary of the temple into which only the priest could enter once per year, certain rituals being necessary. The veil indicated that we were not fit for the presence of God.
Jesus’ death brought us closer to God. ( Colossians 1: 21-22).
His death also indicates how we are to live, to have compassion and be ready to forgive others.