The worst and best Friday, in lockdown but still free
While we are in Lockdown dealing with a pandemic unprecedented in my lifetime, we must not forget what happened today on Good Friday 2020 years ago.
Jesus, having no sin, willing allowed Himself to be crucified by sinful men like us, to once and for all defeat sin and death by being the ultimate and final sacrifice, fulfilling the law, and taking on our punishment.
This was foretold in the Old Testament:
‘he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” ‘
Isaiah 25:8–9
https://my.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.25.8-9
And is fulfilled on Good Friday in the New Testament:
‘And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” ‘
Matthew 27:50–54
https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.27.50-54
And we testify to this, for the whole word of God prophesied this, indeed many longed to see it and didn’t. How fortunate we are to have been born after this, so that we can be saved by accepting this sacrifice, to dare to believe in Jesus and what He did for us, dying for our sins, so that we may live and walk with Him, both here on earth, and one day in Heaven for all eternity.
It really is that simple, it is the free gift for us (though it wasn’t for Jesus), so we may be reunited with our creator.
As it is written:
‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ‘
1 John 3:1–2
https://my.bible.com/bible/111/1JN.3.1-2
So do not wait, do not hesitate, accept this free gift if you haven’t already, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and begin the journey like no other. He is the only one who can heal your wounds, the only one who is truly faithful, and the only one who truly loves you — so much that He died for you.
It is very simple, don’t let the enemy or anyone else deceive you that it isn’t.
Just pray this prayer and that is it:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.”
Then start your walk with Jesus, daily reading His Word through which He will reveal Himself to you more and more, and join a fellowship so that you may be disciplined and thereby grow in your faith more and more.
Amen!
