LEARNING DAILY

 

John 19:30, So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!” And bowing His head He gave up His Spirit.

 

It is Good Friday and I was wondering why this day is called “Good”. All accounts of this day and the time leading up to it describe the Lord Jesus Christ’s terrible suffering due to the lashes given Him by the soldiers, made to carry His cross to Calvary, was spit on, mocked, and nailed to a cross. For Jesus, His disciples and His followers this does not seem to be a “good” day!

 

That is not what the “good” in Good Friday refers to; instead, it refers to Jesus accomplishing what He had been sent to do. By giving up His life, by taking our place on that cross, He made a way for each of us to know Him personally. That is what makes Good Friday “good”! My friend and brother in Christ, pen named Ira Paine, wrote this in his daily writing, “It is important that we realize that all of the work was completed on the cross.  The resurrection was the demonstration that He had not died in vain (Stott) and that He is victorious in His purpose and forevermore.  Jesus accomplished what He came into the world to do.  The second phrase Jesus cried in a loud voice, "It is finished!"  In Greek it is but one word, "tetelestai."  It means, "it has been and will forever remain finished."  The penalty of sin was paid, the justice of God was satisfied. (Stott)” Jesus was sent to provide a way to eternal life in His Kingdom, the atonement for sin on the behalf of all mankind. His death on the cross accomplished this totally and completely – “It is finished”! No other action, ritual, sacrifice, or payment for salvation is necessary to accomplish salvation for any of us!

 

From a physical standpoint, Jesus’s body had suffered tremendously, fatal injuries. Yet, His death was totally a decision of His will. He was obedient to His Father at all times from His willingness to be born into human form, submitting to God’s will as He lived on earth, allowing Himself to be arrested and subjected to terrible treatment at the hands of the religious leaders and the Romans, and to be nailed to the tree. Yet, He gave up His life to His Father. It was not taken from Him!

 

Each person now has the opportunity to acknowledge their sinful life without Jesus, ask for His forgiveness, receive it because of what He did on the cross, and be able to walk on the narrow way to eternal life in God’s kingdom. By rejecting Jesus, the cross, and His resurrection is walking the broad way that leads to eternal destruction. The choice seems to be clear! Eternity is a long time – it is forever. Eternity with Jesus or eternity without Him? Walking a narrow way or walking on the broad way? Choose carefully!

 

It is a good day this Good Friday!