A Friday to Be Remembered
When one follows the biblical chronology of Jesus’ final week, his “Passion Week,” it is clear that the day of his crucifixion and death was Friday. We call it “Good Friday” or more accurately, “Holy Friday.” (“Good” comes from the old English term that actually meant “holy.”) It’s the day that Christians are to remember the suffering and death of our Savior, Jesus. It’s a Friday to be remembered!
How unfortunate, however, that so many Christians show up on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection, but make little time to worship on Good Friday. For although it is the resurrection of Jesus that brings meaning and power to his cross, without the cross we would be left in our sins. Without Jesus’ suffering and death, the price for our sin would have been left unpaid—and we would be left with a debt of sin that we would never, ever be able to pay. The fact is, our salvation has been bought and wrought by means of the cross.So, God forbid that we should ever forget! God forbid that our Easter weekend celebrations would gloss over Friday! God forbid that we should fail to pause and reflect and give thanks for what took place on Friday.
This is why Jesus, at his final Passover seder, as he gave his disciples the broken bread and the cup of wine said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25) Or more literally, “Remind yourself of the breaking of my body and the shedding of my blood on that cross. Never forget what took place as I, Jesus, hung on that cross and died for your sins.”
I love the way one hymn writer prayed, “Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me; Lead me to Calvary.” (Jennie Evelyn Hussey)
As we come to this Good/Holy Friday, allow me to encourage you to do the following:
(1) Take time to read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death;
(2) Spend some time meditating on the meaning and power of the cross;
(3) Give thanks to Jesus for his willingness to die for the sins of the world—including yours;
(4) Attend a church service wherein you can join with other believers in remembering, giving thanks, and worshipping Jesus for his sacrificial death on the cross.
May we be awestruck as we remember the incredible love of Jesus as he hung on that cross. It is surely a Friday to be remembered. May we never forget.
May God bless you on this Good Friday and throughout this Easter weekend.
- Pastor Tim Harris
Comments
Post a Comment