THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Good Friday, April 18, 2025

Lord, today we celebrate the day when the history of the world changed forever. We call this day of Holy Week Good Friday. For Christ-followers, however, the Scriptures imply this Friday wasn’t good for you. You led a perfect life, completely obeying the Father’s will, even though his will included unimaginable suffering.

For the first time throughout eternity past, eternity present, and eternity future, you were separated from your Father. When the Father had to turn his back on you because you became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), is it any wonder your cry, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”  echoed throughout the universe?

With humility and a grateful heart, may we remember your suffering. Although you are King of Heaven and Earth, we savagely beat a crown of thorns into your head. Ignorant people spit in your face. Evil Roman soldiers gave you a 39-lash scourging, which left your back looking like hamburger.  Just carrying your heavy cross up the hill to Calvary must have left you at death’s door. You didn’t deserve any of this punishment. You suffered a ghastly death, giving your life to redeem us from our sins, even those who were/are hostile toward you and cared nothing about who you are or what you did for us. Seven hundred years prior, Isaiah prophesied the details of your suffering (Isaiah 53). That’s amazing. Again, why is this day called “Good Friday?”

Lord, not only this Good Friday, but every day, as we carry our cross, show us how to point others to you and the power of your cross that redeems us from sin.

Heavenly Father, we can’t thank you enough for sending Jesus to save us from sin.

Amen, Jesus.