Good Friday

     This would normally be the day when I post the Weekend Sermon. However, since it is Holy Week, I will be posting a reflection on Good Friday today, and tomorrow I will post the Weekend Sermon about the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

     As part of your Bible reading for this day, I recommend that you read John chapter 19 and 20 and Isaiah 53. These chapters detail the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and what He did for us to save us from sin and death.
     Today, I would like to focus on John 19:30 which states, "When he had finished the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
     On this day, Jesus stood before Pilate. Jesus had not committed any crime. He was entirely sinless. Pilate knew that there was no reason that Jesus should be crucified. He went before the people and made them an offer. He said that he would release either Barabbas or Jesus. The people chose Barabbas. They cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate acquiesced to the wishes of the crowd, and he handed Jesus over to be crucified.
     Jesus was beaten, spat upon and mocked. He was made to carry His own cross up Calvary's mountain. There he was nailed to a cross between two criminals. Even while He was on the cross, Jesus was mocked by those who had opposed His ministry.
     Finally, after suffering in agony. Jesus said that it was finished, and He died. What did He mean it is finished. I believe that this statement has two meanings. First of all, Jesus ordeal of suffering was at an end. He had come into this world. He had humbled Himself and taken upon Himself the form of a servant. He was tempted in every manner like we are, but He was without sin. Jesus helped and loved everyone. He had died for the sins of the world. He had accomplished the task that was set before Him.
     I also believe that when Jesus said, "It is finished" that He was referring to the act of redemption. I Peter 2:24 tells us, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed."
    On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the entire world. Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved for our sins upon Himself on the cross. He completed the work of redemption.
    Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can have forgiveness of sins. We can become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Verse 13 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of of the Lord will be saved."
    It is my hope that you have called upon the name of Jesus for salvation. I hope that you have repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord. He died on the cross for you and for me. He did it because He loves us.
    If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to do so today. Call upon the name of the Lord, and trust in His unfailing love.