Christ Jesus was crucified on a Friday for his good works of love and kindness in obedience to God. Isaiah 53:7-8 says he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. These events are in Matthew 26: 36-75; Matthew 27: 1-61; Mark 14: 32-72; 15: 1-47; Luke 22: 39-71; 23: 1-53; John 18: 1-40; 19: 1-38. We hope to conclude this topic by discussing in summary what Good Friday means to us as a body of Christ Jesus as we depend on the Holy Spirit for directions.
Jesus showed us his love
Jesus’ love cannot be hidden but visible and felt. In the face of death at the hands of his murderers on the cross, Jesus said in Luke 23:34 Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Romans 5: 8 says God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
John 15:13 says Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jesus’ showed his true and authentic love to us on the cross. Good Friday is a day to show exemplary love to one another and to forgive one another without precondition. God showed his love to us by giving us Jesus Christ whilst we were yet sinners.
Jesus gave us free access to God
By Jesus’ death on the cross, we have unfettered access to God. Matthew 27: 51-52; Mark 15: 37-38; Luke 23: 44-45 say and Jesus cried with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
These physical accounts symbolize that access to God was granted at the cross. Colossians 1:20 says through him God has reconciled to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Because of Good Friday, we do not need any other medium to God but Jesus. The rocks symbolized blockage and obstruction yet Jesus’ death split them and made a way for us to God and where there was no way to peace and progress in life.
Christ made a covenant for us
By Jesus’ death on the cross, he established an everlasting covenant with God for all mankind who believed in him. In ordinary life, we pacify deities with the blood sacrifice of animals. Jesus’ blood surpasses all. 1 Peter 1: 18-19 say you know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Hebrews 7: 22 says the blood of Jesus Christ makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant. Hebrews 8:6-7 say Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second. Jesus said in Mark 14:24 this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Jesus became our eternal mediator
Hebrews 9:15 says therefore he (Jesus) is the mediator of the new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems from the transgressions under the first covenant. Hebrews 12:24 says Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.
In any relationship, we need someone who can mediate for us in times of need. In our case Jesus is the most qualified. God said in Matthew 17:5, this is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Revelation 5:12-3 also says worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing. … to him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever.
Jesus made us citizens of heaven
Jesus’ death on the cross made us citizens of heaven. Ephesians 2: 19 says so then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Galatians 3:28 says there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, because you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:12 says there is no distinction between Jew or Greek. Jesus guaranteed our citizenship when he died on the cross. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put His seal upon us and given us his spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Jesus’ seal on us is his blood which makes us citizens of heaven and his eternal glory.
Jesus guaranteed our victory
Hosea 13: 14 says O death, where is your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Colossians 2:15 says he disarmed the principalities and powers and made public examples of them, triumphing over them in him. Revelation 1: 17-18 say fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys to Death and Hades.
Revelation 3: 7 says he has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens. Jesus will open our lives and shut away sin and pain if we submit to his Lordship. Romans 14:11 says as I live says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall give praise to God. Philippians 2:10 also says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Celebrating with meaning
Good Friday is therefore a day of sober reflection and solemn remembrance of the Lord Jesus. It is a day when we travail and wait in prayer with a thankful heart to God for Jesus’ finished work on the cross for our redemption. It is a day when our victory was sealed in Christ Jesus with his blood as overcomers. Let us accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ for he bled and died for us. John 3: 16 says for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 1 Timothy 2: 6 says Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all. This is the hour to be saved personally.
Prayer
I REPENT OF MY SINS LORD JESUS, FORGIVE ME OF MY SINS, CLEANSE ME IN YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD, MAKE ME WHOLE, COME INTO MY HEART TODAY, STAY WITH ME, LEAD ME IN YOUR LOVE, CLOTHE ME WITH YOUR MERCY, STRENGTHEN ME BY YOUR GRACE, MAKE ME TO KNOW YOU MORE. THANK YOU JESUS!
