We are mid-way through the Holy Week calendar. The stage is
set for the grand finale of JESUS CHRIST's ministry on earth, an event for which every child of GOD ought to be deeply
and eternally grateful – JESUS' resurrection. This one event in history changed
the course of humanity for all eternity.
The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem are determined to crucify JESUS
and neither He nor His Father, who have the power to do so, will stop them. It
is the Father’s plan for the redemption of Mankind foretold in the Old
Testament, beginning in Genesis 3.
JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD in human form, must suffer and perish
on the behalf of humanity. Isaiah 53, JOHN 3:16-17.
Holy
Thursday –
JESUS celebrates the Passover with His disciples. Known as
the Last Supper, here JESUS symbolically offers Himself as the sacrifice, His
body and His blood. The Holy Communion.
- And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:7-23
JESUS washes the disciples’ feet, as an act of humility and
service, to set an example for all time that we should love and serve one
another in humility.
- If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:3-17
Good Friday –
JESUS is put through a mock trial; He is beaten, humiliated
and eventually crucified on the cross.
- And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23
On the surface, the events of this day cannot be called
“good”, so why do Christians refer to the day of the week, recognized as the
day of JESUS’ crucifixion, Good Friday?
Episcopal priest and theology professor Justin Holcomb explains it this way in an article written for
Christianity.com: Good Friday is “good”
because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy
of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the
perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be
poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and
shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of
those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26.) Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be
the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good
plan to redeem the world from bondage…. The
cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness… Good
Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good
Friday is so dark and so Good.
To this every child of GOD ought to throw up their hands,
lift their heads toward heaven and should a lusty Hallelujah, PRAISE the LORD!
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until
his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single
offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:12-14
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our
FATHER in Heaven, you are our SAVIOR and LORD, REDEEMER and KING. We thank you
for the events of that first Good Friday with awe and gratitude. Father, may we
never cease to hear the echo of JESUS’ anguished cry on the cross asking why
you were forsaking Him and may our hearts be pierced by the knowledge that those
words rightly belonged to us but we will never have to ask them of YOU since CHRIST
bore the burden of our sin and depravity in our place. Father forgive us for daring to question YOUR
goodness when we experience minor afflictions as no trial we go through can
compare to what YOUR SON suffered, for us. Remind us to trust YOU like little
children in ALL things, that YOU are always near and to approach YOU always
with praise and thanksgiving as YOU allow every trial for our good. Teach us to
bear all things with patience and perseverance and keep close to our hearts the
reasons why Good Friday is “good.” To YOU belong all
dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all
things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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