25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:25-38, New International Version)
Theme: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving
Context
What a blessing it has been to reflect on lessons from Jesus during Passion Week. The comments have certainly made the experience richer. Thank you!
Today, we turn to the pivotal lessons from Good Friday. There are events in human history that exceed our ability to communicate or fully comprehend. What transpired on Good Friday is certainly one of those events. God, in His grace though, reveals enough to us in His word. Consider, for example, the following inspired words of God:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:4)
“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)
Good Friday is a foundation of Christian rejoicing and thanksgiving. Jesus endured ridicule, abuse, pain, and death for us. As we remember His sacrifice we shout, “Hallelujah!”
Bible Passage
Please prayerfully meditate on the passage above and consider the question below.
Question
What are your personal reflections on what God did for you on Good Friday?
Please leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
April 7, 2023 at 4:54 am
I don’t believe that words can fully describe what He has done for me and world. God saved me. He showed me hope, peace and love. I am forever grateful and thankful for His amazing sacrifice. Hallelujah!
April 7, 2023 at 5:59 am
God sacrificed His Son. By doing that, He essentially did EVERYTHING for me that is most important. He gave me hope, joy and peace, someone I can always trust and depend on, the ultimate Savior, and the comfort of knowing that when I die, I’ll have the most amazing eternal life.
If I remind myself of these, I really should always be rejoicing and thankful.
April 7, 2023 at 6:31 am
It’s easy but also hard to fully explain what Christ’s dying means to me. I can easily rattle off that He died to save me and give me eternal life, and a home with Him when He returns. But I’m truly unable to express the feelings and gratitude and elation that arises within me, when I think of this King of Kings dying for insignificant, unworthy me, but with my limited words I rejoice in Hallelujahs and Praises to my King.
April 7, 2023 at 9:01 am
Jesus died on the cross for me is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. Whenever I have sufferings or trials in this life, I always reflect on how the Lord gave His son for me to have life, be redeemed from
my sinfulness and have peace and hope that only my God can give. I am very privileged child of God. In my life , I don’t know why, but before Easter there is always something that happens to me like for example, the church bombing in Pakistan where I got injured and survived in 2002, the birth of my first and second grandchildren
on the same month before Easter , and many other memories – some were happy, others maybe sad and/or very challenging or can even be like situations causing confrontation, or argument with friends or relatives that lead to pain, anger, misunderstanding or in short failing the Lord because of my sin. It is during this time that I am reminded of what Jesus has done for me. It is also because of the cross that I can reflect on forgiveness, acceptance of things hard for me to accept or understand. Jesus’ death on the cross humbles me as I see myself so small, not deserving of God’s gift and unconditional love for me . Good defeats evil. The cross to me signifies God’s triumph for His creation and Hope for the world. Evil is defeated when Jesus died on the cross. It is His resurrection that gave hope and new life for us and it is just fitting for us believers to be forever grateful for the gift of salvation, the hope for our future. May we always glorify God in all our actions and deeds. Thank you Jesus! Below is the verse I would like to share and reflect on as we remember Jesus’ death on the cross….
“ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
— John 16:33
April 7, 2023 at 7:26 pm
What if. What if Jesus did not die on the cross to create a path of reconciliation to the Creator for repentant sinners. Life would be nasty, brutish and short. Humankind would be shut out in utter darkness. No hope for eternal life. No help in the time of need from the One who is all powerful and knows all things. And in the end all humans will need to pay the ultimate price for sin – eternal damnation. I say, it would have been better to have never been born. But with Jesus’ paying our sin debt in full on the cross on that good day, redemption is offered to all, only BELIEVE in Christ and be born again. A new creature, the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. If it wasn’t enough that the redeemed inherit everlasting life, Psalm 16:11 tells us: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” What an indescribable gift!
April 7, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Jesus suffering & dying on the cross shows God’s deep love for us. I need to always love God live a God centered life, obeying Him in every way, knowing His Word, glorifying Him.