The Good in Good Friday

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Ever since the first man and the first woman decided they wanted to be more like God and fell into sin, the world has known nothing but bad. Evil grew rampant. Wickedness was a trend. Hate was a natural response. Sin just grew worse and worse in the hearts of all men. They would try everything to be good again, but no matter what men put up as a means of redemption, whether religion, charity, or indulgences, nothing and no one was ever good enough to save themselves from the bad.

Little did men know that their sin was causing their destruction. They didn’t know their wickedness was leading them to shame. They didn’t know that their hate was bringing them to their graves. Little did they know that they weren’t just doing bad things, but bad things were about to be done to them eternally.

However, God knew. And God wanted to do something about it. God wanted to do something good to overcome all the bad. What did God do? God sent the only One who could ever redeem creation from the bad.

His name is Jesus.

Jesus walked the earth and perfected the commandments of the Father. But as His ministry grew, so did the jealousy and the hatred of the Pharisees and the religious leaders. They plotted for days on how they can capture Jesus without inciting a mob. Eventually, on a Thursday night, right after the last supper, Jesus was betrayed by one of His friends and was captured.

The next day, Friday, He stood trial, but was silent as a lamb. He was accused, but He didn’t lift a finger. He was mocked, but didn’t call on the angel armies that were waiting for His command. And then He was crucified, but He cried, “Father, forgive them!”

And when He shouted His last words, “It is finished!”, finally, there was something Good that could overcome and overpower all those years of bad. Finally, there was a way that we could be redeemed. Finally, there was a way to redirect our destiny. Finally, there was a way for us to be good in the sight of God. And all we have to do is come with all the bad and lay it on Jesus. Only then can we do good.

So, what’s good about Good Friday? Jesus Christ. His sacrifice. His cross. His death. Our redemption. Our healing. Our forgiveness.

Points to Ponder:

  1. Do you know that your good works are filthy rags before the Lord and can never bring salvation? SEE: Isaiah 64:6
  2. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins? SEE: Ephesians 2:8-9
  3. What have you done for Jesus lately? SEE: John 14:15

 

Devotional for Holy Week

Good Friday

Written by: Pastor John Quintana

Living Word Christian Churches of Cebu International Inc.

Punta Princesa Outreach



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