"Good Friday", March 29, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

 

It's a Good Day

 

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is GOOD to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation.

 

My father-in-law, who is also my Pastor, ends almost every service saying, "It's a good day." Because I am part of the family, I know that it may not always feel like a "good day." Unfortunately, even as Christians, we still will face undesired circumstances. However, he still makes this proclamation.

 

Have you ever wondered why we reflect on the death of Jesus each year on a day proclaimed as "Good" Friday? Would you consider His suffering GOOD...

 

After being sentenced for unjust purposes, Jesus was brutally beaten from His shoulders down to His legs with a whip made of sharp pieces of metal, glass and bones.

 

A crown of thorns was driven into His scalp. Soldiers wrapped His robe around Him only to tear it off again once it had adhered to His wounds.

 

Bearing this pain, a heavy crossbar was placed on His shoulders as He struggled to walk to His death. Iron spikes measuring 5-7 inches were driven through His hands and feet to the cross causing horrific shots of pain.

 

As Jesus labored to breathe, He vacillated between standing straight up and sagging down--trying to gain relief from the agonizing pain.

 

And THIS is the day we call "Good" Friday.... There is not much concrete evidence as to why we began to call this day "Good Friday." However, many Christians agree that regardless of the origin of this title, what Jesus did for us IS surely a GOOD thing.

 

Shortly before death, Jesus uttered the words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30)  No, that was not a cry of surrender. It was a shout of victory for all that God had planned for the restoration of mankind. Now, forgiveness was FREE.

 

1 Peter 2:24 says, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and LIVE for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed."

 

I challenge you today to reflect on what Jesus did for you and know that although He suffered a horrible death, He would do it all over again because He loves YOU!

No matter your circumstances, you can confidently declare that "It IS a GOOD day" because of what the Lord has done for all of us. AND He hasn't stopped there... Romans 8:28 reminds us "that in ALL things God works for the GOOD of those who love Him."

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. Forgive me for my sins as I pursue a life of Holiness in YOU! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.