Good Friday is also known as
- Holy Friday
- Black Friday
- Bad Friday
- Sorrowful Friday
But Good Friday is good because of:
- 1. God’s Goodness
- 2. Christ’s Invitation
1. God’s Goodness
- His Love, Grace, Mercy, Compassion and Lovingkindness
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. —John 3:16
This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24
You are good, and what you do is good. —Psalm 119:68
God’s justice, holiness, and righteousness call for sinners to be judged, punished and condemned.
But God’s goodness, love, grace, mercy, compassion and lovingkindness call for an unblemished sacrifice of Christ
(who took our place on the cross) to pay the penalty of sin.
We deserve God’s wrath and punishment, but we didn’t get it.
Why?
Because Christ took what we deserved on the cross.
He paid the price we deserve to pay.
He died so that we could live and be reconciled to God.
By His death, Jesus became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins.
He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. —Hebrews 7:27
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! —Romans 5:8-10
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. —Titus 3:4-6
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. —1 John 4:10
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation —2 Corinthians 5:18
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. —2 Corinthians 5:21
2. Christ’s Invitation
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” —Matthew 11:28
Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” —Mark 1:17
- Purpose and Responsibility
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.—John 12:26
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9:23
Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you” —John 15:4
- Preservation and Refuge (security)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1
10 No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. —Psalm 91:10-11
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” —Psalm 91:14-16
Because I live, you will also live. —John 14:19
What’s your Response to Jesus’ Invitation today?
Will you accept His gift of salvation and offer of eternal life?
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” —Acts 16:30-31
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day! —Alas and did my Savior Bleed, Isaac Watts & Ralph Erskine Hudson
Will you Accept His invitation to:
- Enjoy His peace and rest?
- Walk in His purpose and responsibility?
- Experience His preservation and refuge?
Reconciliation with God is available to everyone; it is up to him/her to accept His gift.
How to accept God’s gift of salvation and reconciliation?
- 1. Admit that you are a sinner and Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23
- 2.. Believe that Jesus came to die on the cross for your sin, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day to secure your salvation
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16
- 3. Confess and repent of your sins and ask God for forgiveness
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9
- 4. Determine to change your life and live for His glory
Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. —Galatians 5:16
- 5. Exalt and extol the Lord daily
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; Holy is He. —Ps. 99:5
