We must never forget or fail to celebrate Good Friday. From the world’s perspective how could anyone refer to it as ‘good’? God literally comes to earth to live and experience life as a human. He committed no sin, insulted no one, shows love and compassion to all and His love was greeted with hate, rejection and execution. It makes no sense to us but it makes sense to God because that is what He wanted for His Son and so did Jesus.
The way His life ended was no surprise to God nor was it a last-minute decision. It was decided and planned prior to the creation of man. God knew Adam and Eve would fall into sin and rebel. His love is so great that He was willing to yield Himself to such torture so we would not experience pain in hell or separation from God.
Isaiah 53:10a-11 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes[a] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. God Himself took what was justifiably our punishment for sin which separates us from Him. God Himself, not an associate or substitute delivered exactly what we needed, the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. As Martin Luther said in the explanation of the second article of the Apostle’s Creed: “. . . redeemed me. . . not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” Jesus alone is our pathway to heaven for His blood alone frees us from sin, Satan and eternal death as we place our faith in Him; that’s why it is called Good Friday. There is no Easter celebration without Good Friday.
Of course, we all know it didn’t end there. Death could not keep the author of life in the tomb, death has no power over God or His people. 2020-21 may appear like the beginning of Holy Week that Jesus endured for the church, but Sunday’s coming!
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way: Today, 3:00 Confirmation
Maundy Thursday, 1 7:00PM Living Last Supper performance.
Friday 2, 6:30 Good Friday communion service.
Sunday 4, 9:00 Easter Son-Rise Service. (No Sunday school) If you have a baby bottle for the CPC please bring it Sunday.
