Since I have become a Christian, it has always been ironic to me that we call today ‘Good Friday’.
Good Friday is the day that Christians celebrate, in some way or another, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Celebrate…the word almost makes me shudder. How does most of the world celebrate Good Friday? Well, here in the States, most folks get the day off from work. I would, and could, argue that most of the folks off from work today never give a second thought about what actually happened on the day they call ‘Good’ Friday.
What did happen?
Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb and God’s Son, was brutally and horrifically beaten and then hung on a cross.
Why? Why did this happen? If He was God’s Son, why did this happen?
Jesus, was being punished.
For what?
For your sins.
What sins? What sins do I have that Jesus would have to be hung on a cross for?
You have broken the Ten Commandments (1 John 3:4) and breaking any one of the Commandments (James 2:10) puts you in the cross-hairs of a perfect and righteous God.
Because of your sin (transgressing or breaking the Law) you are now condemned to death (Rom 6:23). The Bible says that you will be punished for breaking God’s Law….
Luke 12:5 says… Fear Him (God) who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Who goes to Hell?
Rev. 21:8 - But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
1 Cor 6:9-10 also say’s … Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
If you have told a lie, you will go to Hell. If you have stolen something, you will go to Hell. If you have taken the Lord’s Name in vain, you will go to Hell. If you have committed adultery, you will go to Hell. If you have made an idol of something, you will go to Hell. The list goes on and on.
Once you have broken just one of God’s Laws, you have a one way ticket to Hell for punishment; eternally.
You have to pay for your own sins…..or have someone pay for them for you.
What? Someone can pay for my sins beside me?
Yes. This is called Substitutionary Atonement. In other words, someone could stand in your place and take your punishment for you. But there’s a catch. You knew there was.
This someone has to be perfect and sinless. You see, God will only accept a replacement as long as that replacement has no spot or blemish. This person must be perfect in word, thought and deed.
Who is worthy and who would be willing to stand in your place for your sins?
Are you ready for this?
God will do it. In fact, He already did it.
2000 years ago, God stepped out of Heaven and clothed Himself in human form. He walked and lived a perfect sinless life (He was God, He could do that). He allowed Himself to be taken by man and was horribly beaten and then crucified on a cross.
He died on that cross. He died in a most horrific manner for your sins, my sins, and the sins of the world. He took all the consequences of Hell for us, because of our sins. He did that because He loved us (John 3:16). They took Him down from the cross and put Him in a tomb that no person had ever been before.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Three days later, God raised Him from the dead so that you COULD have forgiveness of sins and life eternal in Heaven.
It’s like this…you broke the Law and Jesus paid your fine.
Jesus became our substitute offering to God. He became our ‘scape goat’, if you will.
Good Friday is the day that Christians celebrate, in some way or another, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Celebrate…the word almost makes me shudder. How does most of the world celebrate Good Friday? Well, here in the States, most folks get the day off from work. I would, and could, argue that most of the folks off from work today never give a second thought about what actually happened on the day they call ‘Good’ Friday.
What did happen?
Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb and God’s Son, was brutally and horrifically beaten and then hung on a cross.
Why? Why did this happen? If He was God’s Son, why did this happen?
Jesus, was being punished.
For what?
For your sins.
What sins? What sins do I have that Jesus would have to be hung on a cross for?
You have broken the Ten Commandments (1 John 3:4) and breaking any one of the Commandments (James 2:10) puts you in the cross-hairs of a perfect and righteous God.
Because of your sin (transgressing or breaking the Law) you are now condemned to death (Rom 6:23). The Bible says that you will be punished for breaking God’s Law….
Luke 12:5 says… Fear Him (God) who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Who goes to Hell?
Rev. 21:8 - But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
1 Cor 6:9-10 also say’s … Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
If you have told a lie, you will go to Hell. If you have stolen something, you will go to Hell. If you have taken the Lord’s Name in vain, you will go to Hell. If you have committed adultery, you will go to Hell. If you have made an idol of something, you will go to Hell. The list goes on and on.
Once you have broken just one of God’s Laws, you have a one way ticket to Hell for punishment; eternally.
You have to pay for your own sins…..or have someone pay for them for you.
What? Someone can pay for my sins beside me?
Yes. This is called Substitutionary Atonement. In other words, someone could stand in your place and take your punishment for you. But there’s a catch. You knew there was.
This someone has to be perfect and sinless. You see, God will only accept a replacement as long as that replacement has no spot or blemish. This person must be perfect in word, thought and deed.
Who is worthy and who would be willing to stand in your place for your sins?
Are you ready for this?
God will do it. In fact, He already did it.
2000 years ago, God stepped out of Heaven and clothed Himself in human form. He walked and lived a perfect sinless life (He was God, He could do that). He allowed Himself to be taken by man and was horribly beaten and then crucified on a cross.
He died on that cross. He died in a most horrific manner for your sins, my sins, and the sins of the world. He took all the consequences of Hell for us, because of our sins. He did that because He loved us (John 3:16). They took Him down from the cross and put Him in a tomb that no person had ever been before.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Three days later, God raised Him from the dead so that you COULD have forgiveness of sins and life eternal in Heaven.
It’s like this…you broke the Law and Jesus paid your fine.
Jesus became our substitute offering to God. He became our ‘scape goat’, if you will.
The question now becomes; how do you receive this free gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God?
The Bible say’s you must repent (Mark 1:15, 6:12, Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19, 17:30, 2 Pet 3:9). The Bible says that there is no forgiveness of sins without repentance (Acts 2:38). To repent biblically means to have a godly sorrow for your sins and to turn from them.
After you repent the Bible says you must trust in Jesus to save you from God’s wrath. If you were on a plane that was about to crash and there was a parachute under you seat, you just wouldn’t believe in the parachute, you would put it on.
In the same way, you must put on the Lord Jesus and He will save you from your sins.
This, my blogging friends, is what today is all about.
Happy Substitutionary Atonement day!
8 comments:
very good post. I agree with you. No one seems to really care about today other than the fact they get the day off from work. Sorry I haven't been commenting here lately, like I said, it has been really busy lately! The additional time spent on the Bible Study and sermon have really taken all of my journeys to other sites away from me. Please let me know when you have something that you want me to mention in my blog and I would be happy to post it for you and to have others link to your site.
May God's blessings be with you on this day of remembrance of our Lord and Savior dying on the cross!
Easter is the reality of our Savior Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection which transcends failed hopes in things that come up hollow and empty. Out of the pain, suffering, and shame Jesus experienced on our behalf, truth came. Life everlasting came. What a glorious hope you can share with all those who are looking expectantly for the Truth!
Joseph - with the writing style you just presented, why don't you start your own blog?
Pretty succinct post there Wayne.
Its a "holiday" here too but, like you, I doubt that many give the meaning of the day a second thought.
We had a congregation of 16 tonight and 14 at Mrs D.P.'s church last night for Maundy Thursday.
There were some notable absences at both churches which I don't fully understand, although the weather is foul.
Just off to watch "The Passion" on the BBC. Its been very good so far.
A blessed Easter to you and yours.
And to you to Jack!
Hi there,
I just stumbled onto your blog from Trisha Ramos' and I wanted to tell you that your post was so excellent, I've copied it to my blog, with a link back to yours. If this is a problem, please let me know. I wanted to post it for others who are lost who might happen to stumble onto my blog. :-)
My blog it's on is: http://mysustaininggrace.blogspot.com/
Thanks for being a shining light for the Lord, you've blessed me.
God bless!
~Vanessa
No Vanessa, I have no problem with that at all!
Thank you for your kind words and may God bless you!
Amen. Indeed, He was crucified for our sins and resurrected for our justification (lost the reference).
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