This post was delayed due to a computer tech crisis. Maybe it was a very small way for me to fill up the sufferings of Christ in commemoration of Good Friday?
The readings for 3/21/08 are Exodus 12.29-32 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ex.+12.29-32), Exodus 13.1-16 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ex.+13.1-16 ), Hebrews 6.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Heb.+6.1-20 ), Lamentations 5.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Lam.+5.1-22 ), and Psalm 22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ps.+22 ).
As we remember Christ's death for our sins this day, we turn our attention to Psalm 22. This is clearly a Messianic Psalm, as we see many prophecies which were fulfilled on the day of our Lord's death. Look especially at the derision people heap upon our Lord and Savior. And as you look upon that derision, reflect for a moment. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. Christ gave his life for us when we were people who hated him. In fact, through our sin and rebellion we daily poured out derision on Jesus in thought, word, and deed. I'll even go one step farther than that last statement. As believers on Christ, we still daily pour out derision on Jesus in thought, word, and deed. How we love our Lord! With the same mouth we bless God and doubt his providence. With the same heart we trust him and make our own plans for our security. With the same body we worship our Lord and do that which is destructive to ourselves and others. Oh, yes, we love our Lord. We love him so much that we pour hatred on him daily. We are those who mock, despise, and reject him. Did love hold Jesus on the cross? Maybe his love, but it was our hatred that drove the nails into his hands, that drove the spear into his side, and that mocked him as he suffered, barely able to breathe, racked with pain.
Jesus has died for our sin. He has died at the hands of sinners, like you and like me. Yet the death of Christ was not in vain. Look to the good news in Hebrews 6, verses 19-29 (ESV). "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." Without the death of Christ for our sin, there would be no resurrection to newness of life for our righteousness. Without the death of Christ for our sin, there would be no atoning sacrifice to make peace between man and God. Without the death of Christ for our sin, we would not have a high priest forever. But Jesus has died for our sin . He has taken the hatred that we bear for him upon himself. He has suffered in our place for sin. He has become sin for us, that we may become the righteousness of God in Christ.
This is indeed a good Friday.
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