Good Friday...

Today is Good Friday.
Some people call it Holy Friday.
It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Crucifixion was the cruelest form of death penalty at that time.
But it was not uncommon.
Many serious criminals were crucified.

But why was Jesus Christ crucified?
What did He do so terribly that He had to be crucified?
He was only merciful, gracious, healing the sick and feeding the hungry.
He was sinless and did not even know what sin was. (1 Corinthians 5:21)

But God gave up Jesus to save His people as a ransom for many. Atoning sacrifice.
And Jesus Christ gave himself up to obey the Father's will. He became sin.
He became a curse to save the cursed. Us.
But still... why crucifixion?
Because to fulfill the scripture.
Whoever was hung on a tree was cursed according to the scripture.
He was hung on the cross (tree) to be cursed to save the cursed. Us.
Unbelievable plan of God, satisfying His holiness and love at the same time, to save His people. Us.

The cross of Jesus Christ was in substitution for our death that was inevitable wage for our sins.
His cross was redemptive of God's people lost to Satan because of our own sins.
His cross justified the unjustifiable sinners in the holy eyes of God.
His cross restored our broken relationship with God.
His cross set us free from the penalty of sin.
His cross atoned our sins.
His cross saved us.

Some people say that Holy Friday is good because we are saved.
But we are not the focus of His cross.
God is the focus of His cross.
His goodness has manifested through this redemptive cross.
This Holy Friday is Good because He is Good, not because we are saved.

On this Good Friday, I remember and praise God's goodness again.
May Thy goodness prevail over wickedness and last forever and ever!
May our hearts be filled with gratitude and humility forever and ever!
May Thy name be lifted up high and glorified!  - Jeffrey