Good Friday

On Good Friday we remember how Jesus willingly suffered and died as the complete & perfect sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved.

On the day he was crucified...

Around 9am, Jesus is now on the cross-hanging between two thieves. The people hurl insults and mock him. David predicted their behavior and very words a thousand years earlier in Psalm 22. The Psalmist describes the piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet, the casting of lots for his clothing and the insults hurled at him by those observing his pain and agony. Yet the Psalm concludes in victory, glory to God, and salvation to the nations.

At 3pm, several things occur at once: Jesus said "It is finished.” He breathes his last and gives up his spirit. The earth shakes and rocks split. Tombs open and the dead bodies of people are raised to life and appear to citizens of Jerusalem. The temple curtain is torn from top to bottom.

When Jesus’ body is taken off the cross, they sealed him in a tomb and sent soldiers to guard it....

When we remember our own selfishness and pride and the consequences those sins bring upon us, we can freely marvel at the sacrifice of Christ for us and give him the worship due his name.

Let’s take time to feel the magnitude of our sin, at this Good Friday Service and appreciate the gravity of our doom and the majesty of what Christ accomplished for us. During this service, we will enter into the tomb and feel the weight of our sin placed on the shoulders of Jesus. From the end of this service until Easter morning, we will wait with anticipation for the tomb to be empty!