They plotted. They planned. Then they
got Judas to lead them to Jesus. Jesus was innocent—He had done no wrong except
to challenge the thinking of those who thought they had it all figured out.
Though Jesus had healed, fed, restored, forgiven, taught and raised Lazarus from
the dead, they saw Him as a threat to their realm of power.
Though the crowd hailed Him as king
and shouted hosannas over him at the beginning of the week as He entered
Jerusalem; their tune changed to “Crucify” on Friday.
There Jesus stood alone. Scorned, rejected,
mocked and beaten.
He could have called legions of
Angels to His rescue. Instead He stayed silent. He took the punishment: the
lashes of the whip, punches to His face, wore a crown of thorns pressed into
his brow and mockers’ spit on His beard.
Silently He bore them out of love.
He hung on a cross—gasping for
breath. Among the last words He spoke were, ‘Father, forgive them’. He became
the spotless lamb, the one without sin—the only one who could take our sin
away.
The rulers were relieved and thought
it was over.
His followers felt confused.
Satan pumped his fist thinking he
finally got the victory.
Yet, Friday became good. In the depth
of the tomb where the body of Jesus lay—alone, the third day was coming. Friday
became good because Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb—just three days was all that
was needed to redeem us from the grip of sin and death. Resurrection brought
forth redemption. Redemption covered our sin forevermore. Jesus took our punishment and paid our debt.
So it may be Friday when darkness
covered the land. But, Sunday’s coming….Jesus burst forth, rose on the third
day and took His place as Lord of all. He is the light of the world. He didn’t suffer without a reason—we needed
to be freed from Satan’s hold of death.
Because of Good Friday, we are free
when we believe who Jesus is, why He came and our need of a savior.
Satan believes in Jesus. Satan knows
the word of God. But, Satan will never acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all.
How about you?
May this Good Friday burst forth and bring salvation into your hearts, and light to your soul.
Winter is finally waning here in New
England. We’ve been clobbered by storms and sunshine has been hidden. I think a
couple of weeks in a sunny climate during February or March would be a good
idea. It’s not a passing fancy—every year I think the same thing. My
full-spectrum light is barely keeping my foggy head above water and I am on the
lookout for anysign of spring.
I walk every day hoping to see a
swelling bud or hardy crocus. I notice the subtle changes in the landscape;
shrinking snow piles, widening roads, and the changing track of the sun (when
it decides to appear). March is the home stretch. I can do it, one day at a
time.
It helps to have a pre-spring plan.
Will I plant something different in my herb garden? Where will I place my
shepherd hooks to display my flowering pots? I imagine my lawn chair settled
nicely in the shade waiting for me. And, I picture the bursting colors outside.
Spring is all about hope; I love
seeing new growth and new life awakening in the dormant world outside. Spring
is full of promise. The trees, gray and lifeless come to life again with
renewed beauty. Oh, how I long for it!
The wintered soul also longs for new
beginnings—new growth, swelling buds on pruned branches—new life. Lifelessness
can be transformed through the promise of Christ. The old is gone, the new has
come. The Risen Jesus breathes life into the withered heart and causes it to
burst with hope. Hope in the One who redeems the darkness and shines light in
our world.
Jesus came to chase away the darkness
of sin and death. He accomplished victory on the cross—sin forgiven—spiritual death
defeated—eternal life offered to all who believe and call on His name. He took
on your sin, my sin and paid the debt so we can be free. We can stand before a
Holy God without condemnation because of Jesus.
No sin is too great. The Easter
season is a reminder that He paid it all and washes away our guilt by His blood,
shed on Calvary’s cross. But death couldn’t hold Him because victory and
forgiveness were being accomplished in the tomb. When He rose on the third day,
our chains fell off—death and sin no longer could bind us. We are set free by
the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world.
Do you know Jesus? He calls each one
to Himself—the question is whether you will believe or turn away.
Salvation is simple:
Acknowledge my sin and need for
forgiveness; this separates me from God
See Jesus as the only One who can pay
the price; His final sacrifice was necessary
Ask Him to take away my sin and shame;
He restores me to a relationship with God
Believe in Him as the One who saves
and redeems; embrace Him as Savior
Through Christ you are cleansed from
sin and in relationship with God for eternity.
He gives you a heart to please Him
and a Spirit within you to desire Him and live rightly. He sent His Holy Spirit
to indwell everyone who calls on the name of Jesus as LORD to empower us to
live our lives with a power that is far beyond our own—making a difference for
eternity.
I pray that winter is waning in your
soul as hope grows through the message of Jesus Christ. Spring revives the
earth and the gospel message revives the heart.
If you have called on the name of
Jesus today, will you let me know? Send me an email and I
will be privileged to pray for you and encourage you in your next steps of
faith. Or, maybe like me, you need a fresh glimpse of His work in your life—renewal—revival.
I pray He showers you with rain of refreshment.
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