He knew the high price that his Father required for the redemption of the very people that were ripping the flesh from his body, exposing his ribs, his organs, his muscle tissue with 39 lashes, ensuring not to inflict a 40th lash because that was the number that killed a person. He knew the high price that God required for you and me.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.” Luke 18:19 NLT
Jesus knew today was coming. He knew the injustice that would be aimed at him. The rage that would be unleashed upon his body. He knew the fickle nature of the mob and sin’s effect on the desperate and hurting. He stood silently as they shouted at him, as they mocked him, as they spit upon him, as they slapped him, as they chose a career criminal in exchange for him. He endured the unimaginable. He knew the impact of sin, of desperation, of godlessness, of fear, of life and lives devoid of hope.
“He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.” Luke 22:42 MSG
Today, this day, this Good Friday is the greatest of lessons of purpose above preservation. This Good Friday teaches us the value of sacrifice versus self. This Good Friday reflects God’s willingness to offer His love of you, of me, of every human that has ever been or will ever be in the form of His son. This Good Friday teaches that life is not fair and thankfully, we are the children of an unfairly loving Father. This Good Friday shows us just how far from holiness we are, without a relationship with God. This Good Friday provided the pathway to eternity in Heaven with the Father. This Good Friday caused the curtain to be torn from top to bottom, creating a direct relationship with the Father. This Good Friday slaughtered God’s beautiful, sinless, loving, only begotten Son, so that sinners like you and me could rest in the Father’s arms. This Good Friday shows us that momentary pain, suffering, injustice and fear have no hold on the beauty of eternity that awaits when we surrender to the opportunity of life that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection provides.
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 NKJV
Even with death impending, Jesus taught us love. He reflected forgiveness. As death crept in, He petitioned his Father on our behalf. “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22 NLT) Through excruciating pain, Jesus’ actions reflected his words. He petitioned his Father on our behalf and on behalf of his tormentors. Jesus knew and knows the horror of an eternity apart from his Father, our Father, the God of the living. Jesus knew with heavy heart the fate that awaited Judas as his betrayer saying “For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” Mark 14:21
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
So Good Friday is so, so, so good because of the price it pays. The immeasurable price of life. Of hope, Of forgiveness. Of direct relationship with our Father in Heaven for those who call upon His name and are born again because of the death and resurrection of His son. So today is good because God is good. His son’s death, while horrible delivered good. In a broken World, the promise that this good day represents is the enough that we each can hold to as we await Sunday. This Good Friday was necessary for the greatness of Sunday. Have a good day in the arms of a good, good Father.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 NIV