Good Friday????? I don't think so!
Posted by James MacDonald on April 5, 2007 09:42 PM | Comments (7)
Everyone wants the crown and nobody wants the cross!!! I don't remember if we had a Good Friday service growing up or not, but I remember we didn't get it early on at Harvest.
Good Friday service is not a happy service; it's a sad one. It's not a point of victory, it's a time of gleaning deeper meaning and grieving what we reflect upon. Not good, not in any sense of the word. I mean I get the idea. They call it 'good' Friday because the outcome was good, but let's be very clear--it was NOT a good day. The crowds were filled with bloodthirsty rage, the religious leaders were filled with venomous envy and irrational hatred. The disciples were filled with fear and selfish cowardice. And Jesus was filled with sorrow. He prayed in the garden, "my soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death."
Scripture tells us that His anguish at the mere prospect of being made sin for the world was to the point of His sweating 'great drops of blood.' They beat our blessed Savior, they spat upon His face and cruelly mocked His every step. They forced a crown of thorns upon His brow and nailed Him naked to a cross.
A poet writes: "On Him, almighty judgment fell that would have sunk the world to hell." It was not a good day, but it can be good for us if we embrace its provision for the forgiveness of our sin with our whole hearts.
Good Friday at our church is a very special event. We don't have a lot of drama during the year but on Good Friday we cycle year by year through: 1) the upper room 2) the garden 3) the trial 4) the crucifixion. We use music (Micheal Card is coming this year) and drama and Scripture reading to remind ourselves of all that Jesus suffered in our place. The congregation wears black, the mood is extremely somber, often tearful. The service dismisses in silence. . . I'll be there tomorrow, dressed in black . . . grieving the cost of my forgiveness . . . it is most definitely not a good day.
But that's Friday . . . Sunday's coming!!!!! :)
Comments
Posted by: deborah | April 5, 2007 10:01 PM
Every year I both dread and look forward to the Good Friday service at Harvest. I know I will walk out of the church in tears even as I try to remember that Sunday is coming.
Posted by: Brandt | April 6, 2007 05:47 PM
I am so humbled by "Good Friday" it's not funny. Even this week I can see lustful and angry thoughts that were not befitting a child of the King. I am reminded again of how key it is to get the Word in DAILY because the world always gives us and even the church sometimes gives us ideas contrary to God's Word.
And yet this Friday in church I almost sensed a Hand on my shoulder. No, "Good Friday" is too much for me to fathom all in one day. The repercussions must sink in all year round. I am forgiven. My pride struggles against it. My heart thirsts for it. My soul is saved by it.
Posted by: deborah | April 8, 2007 07:17 PM
Sunday has come. Praise be to our God.
Posted by: moses | April 9, 2007 04:36 PM
I was taught: "Once saved always saved." But since studying the Book of Hebrews, the Drifting away portion makes me think that true salvation requires devotion to Christ. Anybody care to share thoughts?
Posted by: Trebby | April 9, 2007 07:55 PM
I am truly in awe of a God that sends His son to the cross for a people that will ultimately decide on their own free will whether to accept or denie Him. What must happen in our lives to be this sold out for a Christ that lives on through generation after generation? I seek to have the character of Christ formed within me minute by minute. To never forget the brokeness that leads to repentace and brings about true Godly sorrow and life change.
Posted by: Malachi | April 11, 2007 03:45 PM
There is something about God becoming my sin and taking on a terrible death for me that is, simply haunting. It just can not leave my mind or my heart. This "Friday", what this "good" Friday is, should be the utltimate awaking of our souls...daily. It should be the awaking of passionate thankfulness to a holy God. Yes, i thought upon His sacrifice for me, but what sacrifices am I making for Him? Thank You Lord Jesus. Forgive me for such weak thankfulness. You alone are worthy.
Posted by: Amy | April 14, 2007 03:48 PM
I agree with you, Pastor James, re: "Good" Friday. The up side is, the bitterness of "Good" Friday makes the sweetness of Resurrection Sunday seem just that much sweeter in comparison. But, of course, we NEVER forget the cross.
In response to moses' comment above, who wrote, "since studying the Book of Hebrews, the Drifting away portion makes me think that true salvation requires devotion to Christ. Anybody care to share thoughts?"
Of course it does - that's what salvation is. To be saved (to be "born again), one must repent of one's sin (which means not only confessing and apologizing to God for them, but TURNING away from them) and TURN toward Christ, fully trusting in Him.
So, yes, once saved, always saved . . . but make your calling and election sure by examining yourself regularly to be sure you have, indeed, fully turned away from sin and toward Christ. If you have, then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He is faithful to make you a new creation (thus the term "born again"). If you haven't, today is the day of salvation - repent and trust in the Savior who gave his life as a ransom for many.