Good Friday

Main Scripture: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV)

Music to meditate on: Just for me – Donnie McClurkin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-siYQMbv2s)

Good Friday is celebrated by many Christians across the world as the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on Calvary. It is celebrated in different ways depending on your location, many Christians attend church on this day and fast, some for example in  the Philippines reenact this day and dozens are nailed to a cross as sign of penance.

However, why is this event so important? Why did Christ die on Good Friday?

Putting it simple, Christ died so that we might live. His purpose on this earth was so that He could die to save humanity.

John 19:30 states that “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (NIV). Here it was obvious that his mission on earth was finished, he fulfilled his purpose on the earth so that we might have eternal life.

Peter Lundell explains it like this:

God is Holy­­--God is almighty, perfect, and separate from his creation; he is without sin of any kind. That's great, but it creates a problem for us: our sinful human state separates us from him (Leviticus 11:44-45 ; Isaiah 6:3–5). This is serious trouble—and it gets worse.

God is Righteous--God requires justice, either in this life or the next. A price must be paid for every wrong. Sin is like a cancer that won't go away. It must be destroyed, which means we all get the death penalty. This is why no one can ever be good enough to make it to heaven by their own effort, ever (Leviticus 17:11 ; Romans 3:23–26). We're all dead meat.

God is Love--God loves us, whom he's created, and wants to have relationship with us. So after centuries of Old Testament animal sacrifice, he paid his own penalty and gave us Jesus Christ, who was simultaneously God and human. Jesus died in our place to pay the price (death) for the sins of all humanity and to give a "not guilty" verdict to those who receive him as Lord of their lives (Romans 5:8). His resurrection overcame the powers of death and hades to guarantee eternal life to those who are his (Revelation 1:17–18), while here and now his Spirit brings life to our previously disconnected human spirits. This is good, very good.

So today, reflect on why Christ died on the cross, read the account of his death and accept Christ’s beautiful gift of Eternal Life. The cross will always represent the love God has for us, so accept his love today by inviting him into your hearts to transform and renew you so that you might have eternal life.

Let’s Pray

Father, thank you for dying for our sins, open our eyes and hearts today so we might understand why you died for us. Help us to can accept your eternal gift of life.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Have a God Filled Day Ladies