Good Friday

Sometimes, one might question why the Friday before Easter is considered “Good Friday.” When you think about it, death is a tragic and horrible end to Jesus being ruthlessly tortured, when He did nothing wrong, then nailed to the cross for transgressions that were not His. He died for transgressions that were ours. While the story of our Savior being brutalized, beaten, and accused is not one that is enjoyable to imagine, it is a beautiful one. In fact, it is marvelous, because, when Jesus died, He was making a way for us to know Him.

When Jesus died and went to the grave, people thought He was forever dead; however, they did not know that He was actively defeating the grave. He was fighting on our behalf, and though today holds somber moments when we think of what Jesus went through for us, we cannot help but experience the joy of what it means for those who trust in Him as their Savior. By the death of Jesus Christ and through the resurrection that took place three days later, on Easter Sunday, we are able to have eternal life. He died so that we might live. He died to restore our broken relationship with Him.

Jesus went to the cross out of love, not obligation. Jesus, the perfect One, died for us because He desired us to be with Him. This Good Friday, today, be reminded of the love that He has for you and to what lengths He went to, so we could be with Him. No matter what we do, how far we wonder, or how bad we think we have messed up, He still wants us, and we are covered by His blood.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NIV