Good Friday

Sometimes I've wondered, is there a bigger misnomer than Good Friday? True, the Crucifixion was good for all of man kind, and it was the fulfillment of prophecy, but the pain and suffering our Savior endured on a Friday some 2,000 years ago is practically unimaginable.

It's incredible to think that just five days earlier he made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Of course many that day believed they were hailing a king who had come to change their world. They were, but it wasn't in a way they expected. Jesus showed all that he was on a mission to change our hearts and minds forever when he cleared the Temple. But it wasn't what many expected. In my experience, the Christian life often provides the unexpected.

Those leaders who watched were filled with fear, and responded by plotting to have Jesus killed and rallying the crowds to turn against him. Fear of the unknown is a powerful force that stands in opposition to the life we're called to lead as Christians.

But the events of "Good Friday" were foretold many years before and were the fulfillment of many prophecies, including my favorite one from Isaiah. When I was younger, I was in an AWANA youth program. I learned many classic verses in King James and New King James. The New King James translation of Isaiah 53:5 is one of my favorites. It reads, " But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

Jesus never stopped giving, even up until the moment of his death. One of the most powerful stories in the Bible is of the two thieves hung on the cross beside Jesus. One scorned Jesus, even as he was suffering the same fate. The other recognized Jesus' authority and begged for forgiveness. Jesus responded, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43).

Jesus offered the same forgiveness to those in the crowd that chanted for his death even as he was placed on the cross. In Luke 23:34 he says, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

He continues to give today, all he asks is that we "fix our eyes" upon Him. And it is because of the sacrifice made 2,000 years ago that we are able to read the words of Paul in Galatians 2:20 today. The passage reads, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (KJV).

We share in the treasures of Heaven because He endured scorn, shame, and death. When I think about it, I can't imagine anything more "Good" than that.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more