Easter Devotional Series
Day 6: Good Friday
“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NLT)
“Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30 (NLT)
The story of Good Friday begins with a prophecy in Genesis 3:15. This Scripture is the first glimpse of salvation mentioned in the Bible. The serpent is Satan, and the seed of the woman is Jesus. Satan was working in the backdrop of the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, and death the whole time; because He didn’t want Jesus to succeed in His mission to save humanity. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross completed the bruising of the serpent’s head through the finished work of salvation, freeing humanity from Satan’s enslaving power.
On the very first Good Friday, the followers of Jesus must have been devastated. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah—their Savior, the miracle worker, and the healer of the nations. They thought their future was bright, only to have those hopes dashed by the death of their Messiah on a cross. How is it possible that this Messiah could be betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, sentenced to death, cruelly tortured, and nailed to a cross?
Many people have a problem with the cross. In fact, Scripture calls it offensive. People often say that Jesus was such a good, loving, compassionate man. Why would God require such a horrible, brutal sacrifice of death on a cross? Why is this day called “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday,” or perhaps, “Bloody Friday”?
In defense of “Good Friday,” the title is entirely appropriate because the outcome of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross removed our sin and restored our relationship with God the Father. The suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the beautiful completion of God’s plan to save the world from sin. This is the “good news” of the Gospel. Without the “good news” of the cross, there would be no need for resurrection, and there would be nothing to celebrate.
Good Friday marks the day when God’s mercy and grace embrace at the cross. He died on our behalf. That is certainly reason to celebrate!
Do you see Good Friday as a good day? Have you embraced what Jesus did for you on the cross? Has Jesus washed away your sins and forgiven you? Do you know with certainty that you will spend eternity with Him?
Soak and Reflect
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT)
Dear God, thank you for the victory I have because of what Jesus did on the cross. Help me to remember that no matter what comes my way, I can have victory and hope in you. Fill me with your presence so I can boldly proclaim that truth to others – and to myself. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
