I remember several years back studying Holy Week with the children and arriving at this day.
We read the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection and my oldest son described Good Friday, as the “best worst day.” I thought, “that’s exactly right.”
Jesus’s suffering on the cross was immense and is incomprehensible for most of us but even more difficult to comprehend is why He did it.
Why would He who lived a sinless life, die such a death for the sinner?
The answer is love.
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.”
Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So:
I heard John 3:16 many times before I really understood it.
Even now, I grapple with fully comprehending the magnitude of God’s love and grace which is available to us all.
It was available to the thieves who hung beside Jesus on Calvary, it was available to the scoffers at the foot of the cross, it is available to you.
Thomas Watson said, “Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.”
While the story of Good Friday is heavy-laden, we know that Sunday is coming!
Our God is a God of hope, redemption, and salvation. What appeared to be the end , “it is finished,” was only the beginning.
Jesus made a way for you and for me and while I feel ill equipped at times to speak about it, Psalm 107:2 instructs us: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
So here I am, saying so….
The Greatest Love:
Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. The Creator of the Universe desires to be in relationship with you, not for the sake of religion, legalism, tradition or to fulfill His needs, for He hasn’t any needs. He is holy, eternal, and self sufficient. He pursues us purely out of love.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
I LOVE this verse, especially the part that says we should seek God and “feel our way” towards Him and find Him.
He is Near:
We are big fans of The Secret Garden and absolutely love the movie released in 1993.
There’s a scene from the film that popped into my head when I read that passage.
In the scene; Mary, Dickon, and Colin are playing hide and seek in the garden. Colin; who was very recently bedridden, as he was believed to be incredibly ill; is blindfolded in the garden arms stretched out in front of him seeking his friends.
Suddenly his father appears. The unsuspecting child stumbles awkwardly towards him. Prior to the past few days in the garden, Colin had never walked before so his steps are a bit like those of a newborn fawn.
Lord Craven (Colin’s father) inches cautiously towards his son. Colin reaches forth still blindfolded to feel his father’s face. Within a few moments; Colin pulls down the blindfold realizing it’s his father, and they embrace. They’d not had any interaction up until this point, but their connection was instantaneous.
I apologize if this was a bit of a detour (don’t get me talking about The Secret Garden) but I thought this scene so beautifully illustrated our at times blind and unsteady walks towards our Heavenly Father who is nearer to us than we know.
The Good News:
This Holy Week and especially Good Friday, are poignant reminders that we will all inevitably experience suffering. For even Jesus, who is perfect experienced tremendous suffering; but we can have confidence in the knowledge that for those of us who choose to follow Him, the suffering of this present time does not compare to the glory that is to be revealed to us, Romans 8:18.
We can have peace, joy, hope and confidence in His presence. He never leaves or forsakes us, Deuteronomy 31:6.
This is the good news of Good Friday friends! I pray that all will consider seeking a relationship with the Lord. Even if you cannot see, even if your steps feel unsteady and uncertain. He and His kingdom are nearer than you know!
Praise Be to our beautiful Savior who overcame death on our behalf and who set us free while we were still sinners!
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