Meditations for Good Friday:
Luke 23:44-47
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,
45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”
Romans 5:7-9
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Stuart Townend:
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers —It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
I realize this reply is too late for this year, but perhaps you might encourage your regular readers to take off from work and school next Good Friday. This is a great day to bring our Christian culture to bear. The everyday secular world needs to be disrupted by the absence of Christians from school and work on Good Friday. It’s one way to get them to realize this day is important and to begin asking “Why?”
Thanks for the comment, John. I haven’t always taken the day off for Good Friday, but I’m glad I did this year. Something I look forward to doing again. I will consider encouraging others to do the same, as well.