Dear Brethren,
Today is Good Friday and we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for us. Let us meditate and think back to all that happened on the very day that Jesus suffered and died on the cruel cross for our sins.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
First of all, let us examine our hearts. We are the sheep that have gone astray and turned our back against God. We are sinners and rebels before God. Because of our own sins, we became the enemies of God. We walked in condemnation and our destination is eternal torment in the Lake of Fire. In such a miserable state, we still remain proud and stubborn with not a thought to turn to God for our salvation.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Our next thought should focus on the Person who would still love and care for us in our miserable and sinful estate. He is none other than the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only His love for us would make Him willingly leave the glory of Heaven to come to become man in order to die for us. This love is divine. This love is unconditional. This love is real love demonstrated by His sufferings and death for us when He did no sin at all. Jesus has to die for man’s sins to be forgiven. Jesus has to suffer on the cross so that we can be saved from eternal condemnation. No one else can save us. No one else will ever love us so infinitely as the Son of God. Will not your heart melt with such meditation of Jesus’ love for you? How can you ever forget His love?
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11
Our final thoughts will be on the greatest accomplishment in the history of mankind. When Jesus suffered and died on the cross, He is satisfied. Why? Because He has gotten the victory for us over sin and death. Because Jesus died, you and I can live forever. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead to show that His sacrifice is acceptable and pleasing to Him. The cross is a victory. Jesus said on the cross “It is finished”. Yes, salvation plan for sinful mankind has been accomplished. There is hope for man to be saved and have eternal life in Heaven. Sinners can now be justified to be declared by God to be guiltless. This is only possible because of the righteousness of Christ that covers every believer.
Dearly beloved, that one moment in history when Jesus died on the cross makes all the difference to mankind – there is salvation and hope for all men. We can be justified and our sins can be forgiven if we come to the cross of Jesus and receive Him as our personal Saviour. May this Good Friday be a spiritually profitable time for our souls to mourn over our sinful estate, be amazed by love of God and to receive the great salvation in Jesus Christ that was purchased for us.
Elder John Leong