For Us: A Good Friday
SCRIPTURE: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4 (NASB)
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
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
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
3 Comments
Amen! Thank You Lord for dying on the cross for me!!! Thank you sister Denise for this encouraging devotioal!! 🎶🎶He would not come down from the cross just to save me! Hallelujah!🎶🎶
God's love absorbed God's wrath on Calvary!! Hallelujah what a Savior!!! Thank you Denise for an excellent devotional.
That Friday's bitter-sweet application was for the sake of my soul, and all souls. He lived the life we could not live, and He died, in our stead that we need not. And, He arose. Amen Jesus and Hallelujah!