So why is Good Friday called Good Friday?
Perhaps the best definition should be the words of the Holy Scripture, "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Joy? Jesus counted being tortured, despised, humiliated, and killed as joy? The answer is yes. For in that moment on the cross, Jesus, the sinless One, took the punishment of all of our sins, so that we could become blameless before God. In that cosmic transformation, He became something He wasn't so that we could become something we couldn't.
Put simply, He died, so we could live.
I have a personal, vested interest in the freedom purchased by the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. I believe that all my sins (and that is a terribly, long list) were forgiven because of His death and resurrection. I believe that the chasm between me and God, caused by the terrible sins that I have committed, was bridged by Jesus on the cross. My paradise was purchased through His persecution. The ultimate gift manifested through the ultimate sacrifice.
And here is the Good News, we all have the choice of claiming this gift for ourselves, with all of the rewards and blessings that accompany that decision, or denying His sacrifice and accepting the deserved but terrible consequences for our actions. God grants us the free will to choose, blessing or curse, freedom or chains, our choice.
But you will choose . . .
There is an old hymn whose lyrics I remember singing as a child that accurately describe the story of a large number of Christ followers:
"I was sinking deep in sin - Far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within - Sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea - Heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me - Now safe am I
Love lifted me, Love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me"
Songwriters: Howard E. Smith / James Rowe | Love Lifted Me | lyrics © New Spring Publishing, Inc.
Let's close with Jesus words in regard to not only our present suffering, but all suffering, Jesus's included, which thankfully He vanquished when He rose from the grave.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." (John 16:20-22)
My friend, I urge you to claim the gift of joy that no one will every be able to take from you.
