Good Friday

Today is Good Friday! The shops are stacked with hot-cross-buns, marshmallow and chocolate Easter eggs and other sweet treats on this public holiday. The shops are closed and many people have left for all the popular holiday destinations. However, we seem to forget that today is not just another public holiday. Today we celebrate what God has done for us in Jesus Christ: He qualified us as His children!

Many, even some of our most respected theologians, still debate the historical Jesus (the fact that Jesus really and truly walked on our planet’s dusty surface and redeemed mankind on a wooden cross). To many the tale of the Messiah is a bit of a tall tale to stomach and they make it off as a cultural/religious myth. Yet, to others the Cross of Jesus Christ is a symbol of how God came to help us to ‘just get along in life’.
But He did live! He did die on a wooden cross! He did redeem mankind and made a way for reconciliation with God. According to the Bible, the cross is the ‘power of God’! And let me tell you something today: When you realize what happened at the Cross, you will not be able to think, or do, or talk, the way you have always been.

When Jesus was in conversation with Nicodemus in the third chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus said something very interesting – “(14) And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross]”. Here Jesus referred to the story of the Israelites in the desert being bitten by snakes because of their sins. The Israelites pleaded with God to save them from certain death and God told Moses to make a copper snake, put it on a pole and lift it up so that it would be visible to all. If one, who had been bitten by a deadly snake, looked at the snake on the pole, they would live! It is interesting to note that God did not instruct His people to kill the snakes, chase them away, or to work out a way to get away from them.
Their only instruction was to look at the snake on the pole, and they shall live! The Bible goes on to say that Jesus became a curse on the Cross, but what does this mean? The truth is that our Messiah became, in actual fact, that which kills people (like the snake on the pole that is in the same form as that which killed the people, namely: snakes). He became whatever it is that kills you or was killing you! The moment that we see Him on the Cross as exactly that, we are freed!! Galatians 3:14 says the following: “Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);” Isn't this just absolutely wonderful news? Jesus has done what was needed for us to truly experience Life as God intended for man; free from condemnation and to the fullest (John 10:10)!

So the instruction is: Look, and live! How long should you look? I don’t know. Just keep on looking, and you shall live! That is why the Bible encourages us in Hebrews 12:2 “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God”. Therefore; stop chasing, hunting and sidestepping snakes. Just look at Him! Keep on looking at Him in His Word, and trust His Spirit to flood the eyes of your heart with light so that you will be able to see Him clearly.
That is all for today, but tomorrow we will continue on the Good News of the Cross. I’m praying that you will have a fantastic day and really see that He took on Himself what we deserved, and in that set you free to be what He made you to be.

Please feel free to post your questions and comments below, I would love to email you more detailed articles. And remember, you are deeply loved by God!