We are about to enter into the most important weekend of the Christian faith. This Sunday is Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus triumphed over death so that we can all be set free! There is a lot of preparation going on this week. Not only are we preparing for worship, but we are all preparing for other events such as family meals and egg hunts. As a church musician, this is by far the busiest week of my entire year. Not only am I preparing for Easter Sunday with all its glory, but I am also leading worship for two other very important days (three if you count Palm Sunday which we celebrated last week). These days are Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, sometimes we forget to take a step back to focus on what Jesus really did for us on the cross.

So let’s take a moment to turn our attention away from Easter and focus on the path that Jesus took to get to that day. If you think about the words, “Good Friday”, it’s kind of ironic isn’t it? I mean, what is really so good about what happened to Jesus on that day? Jesus was betrayed by one of his own friends and handed over to the authorities. He was mocked and beaten to the point of near death all before he was even nailed to the cross. The prophet Isaiah spoke these words prophesying exactly how Jesus would die.

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:3-5

What Jesus suffered for our sake was unimaginable. Not only did he physically suffer, but he was forsaken by God for three hours as he hung on the cross. So what is the good news out of all of this? The good news is that everything that Jesus did, all that he suffered, was for our sake. As Isaiah said, “by his wounds we are healed”. Jesus died and offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins. Although he spent three days in the tomb, we all know what happened on that third day. He rose from the dead! He is alive again! He paid the penalty for all our wrongdoing. Even though this happened over 2000 years ago, we are all still set free today because of the price Jesus paid. And the best part is, he did it because he loves you!

THAT is what is so good about Good Friday! That is the good news that we will be celebrating in just three short days. So as we prepare our hearts and minds for the triumph that we will celebrate this Sunday, take some time today to remember what Jesus did for you on the cross.

I invite you to pray this prayer with me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Thank you for enduring all the pain and suffering on that day because of me. Forgive me for all my sins, and on this day I pray, “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” In your most holy name, Amen.

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