It is particularly relevant to those who call themselves believers to concentrate on the meaning of today, tomorrow, and Sunday. These three days cover every emotion that I can fathom...(fear, betrayal, anger, sadness, hopelessness) and finally all culminating in the resurrection event and Extreme Joy.
To think that our Lord would remove himself from the Glory of Heaven (can you even begin to imagine the pure sacrifice that was in itself), to take on human flesh knowing the anguish and pain ahead, serve, love, and then become sin (yes, became sin for us) and sacrifice himself on our behalf so that we could have fellowship with the father......It is mind blowing.
I look at my kids, my wife, my family and I ask myself "Would I do the same for them?" - but that question doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the sheer magnitude of the single act Christ alone could accomplish....I would say to myself and others "sure I would, I would die for them" -- but would I die for my neighbor, for my friends of old and new? Would I willing give up my life for those less fortunate? Would I willingly give up my life for those more fortunate than me? What about that man in prison convicted of some horrible crime? What about a terrorist who I know given the chance would kill again?
As much as I can give examples of how we might try to justify our being, our worthiness, our righteousness, how we might feel that we are more worthy than others...Net Net - SIN is SIN...Can you even picture it -- Jesus, who knew all of us and all of our lives from the beginning to the end could see all of the sin (past, present, and future) knowing and feeling the heartbreak that each one of us caused.... in the moment before arrest and the subsequent events of flogging, crucifixion, and death -- utters these words - John 18:11 "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the father has given me?" -- No one could accomplish that other than Christ.
Lord my God, Thank you for dying on the cross in my place this day so many years ago. Father Thank you for your unfailing love for us, even though we are sinners, you died for us. Jesus, you ARE the way, the truth, and the life and I am so happy to be called you child. Lord you died so that I might live, and live I will for you. I will shout it from the mountains, My Lord is Risen, He is Risen Indeed...I love you Jesus.
May your Good Friday be filled with the emotions I have describedand may your Sunday be filled with HIS love and Joy as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, always remembering we serve a Risen Lord and that he will be returning...let us not give up meeting as some are in the habit of doing, but even more so as the day approaches.....
Gabe
To think that our Lord would remove himself from the Glory of Heaven (can you even begin to imagine the pure sacrifice that was in itself), to take on human flesh knowing the anguish and pain ahead, serve, love, and then become sin (yes, became sin for us) and sacrifice himself on our behalf so that we could have fellowship with the father......It is mind blowing.
I look at my kids, my wife, my family and I ask myself "Would I do the same for them?" - but that question doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the sheer magnitude of the single act Christ alone could accomplish....I would say to myself and others "sure I would, I would die for them" -- but would I die for my neighbor, for my friends of old and new? Would I willing give up my life for those less fortunate? Would I willingly give up my life for those more fortunate than me? What about that man in prison convicted of some horrible crime? What about a terrorist who I know given the chance would kill again?
As much as I can give examples of how we might try to justify our being, our worthiness, our righteousness, how we might feel that we are more worthy than others...Net Net - SIN is SIN...Can you even picture it -- Jesus, who knew all of us and all of our lives from the beginning to the end could see all of the sin (past, present, and future) knowing and feeling the heartbreak that each one of us caused.... in the moment before arrest and the subsequent events of flogging, crucifixion, and death -- utters these words - John 18:11 "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the father has given me?" -- No one could accomplish that other than Christ.
Lord my God, Thank you for dying on the cross in my place this day so many years ago. Father Thank you for your unfailing love for us, even though we are sinners, you died for us. Jesus, you ARE the way, the truth, and the life and I am so happy to be called you child. Lord you died so that I might live, and live I will for you. I will shout it from the mountains, My Lord is Risen, He is Risen Indeed...I love you Jesus.
May your Good Friday be filled with the emotions I have describedand may your Sunday be filled with HIS love and Joy as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, always remembering we serve a Risen Lord and that he will be returning...let us not give up meeting as some are in the habit of doing, but even more so as the day approaches.....
Gabe