For Us: A Good Friday

Several years ago, I used to wonder why “Good Friday” is called “good.” Our Savior, the perfectly
sinless God-Man, in keeping with divine prophecy, was cruelly and unjustly accused by wicked men, savagely beaten, and nailed to a criminal’s cross—all to pay for the sins of whosoever would believe the truth about Him and the ugly truth about themselves—namely that apart from Christ’s indwelling presence in believers, resulting from the new birth, “there dwells no good thing in me.” (Isaiah 55, Psalm 22, Romans 7:18)
It’s an amazing and precious body of truth to ponder, not only because faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection delivers from eternal death those who believe it and receive Him as LORD, but it gives us at least three bases for clinging to a deep spirit of humility throughout the year. (#1) Ponder the matchless grace of His redemptive sacrifice for us who believe: we, like a wild olive shoot, were grafted in, says Romans 11:19, 20. It was only because of the Jewish people’s rejection of Jesus Christ that we Gentiles were extended the offer of receiving by faith this marvelous grace and forgiveness of all our sins; (#2) Consider that our Lord’s atoning sacrifice for us who believe is the quintessential demonstration of our sovereign God’s power to work all things together for our good— (Romans 8:28)
In the words of David Mann, “No incident has ever been more tragic, and no future event will ever
match it. No political assassination, no financial collapse, no military invasion, no atomic detonation or nuclear warfare, no cataclysmic act of terrorism, no large-scale famine or disease…” could ever surpass the significance of the horrific death of Jesus the Christ for sinful people like ourselves! Finally, (#3), though false friends, governmental leaders, someone on our job, or even some family members may bitterly oppose us, we can rest assured that victory in this life and in the new heaven is our’s as well.
Oh, it was definitely a good Friday, because it paved the way for a glorious and victorious
Resurrection Sunday! Halleluiah!!! Because He rose on the third day, we who know Him may
confidently say, “…as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22)

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making the worst day in human history and the awesome ensuing event—that of our Lord and Savior’s resurrection on a Sunday-- the greatest offer available to a human soul.
Because He lives, we too shall live! Amen!
By Denise Diggs