Today is Good Friday. It’s the day Jesus temporarily died. Truly a rare occurrence. Thus, it also requires the intervention of the Almighty God to resurrect a person from the dead. But that’s what happened. Jesus temporarily died so that He could take on the punishment of the entire human race. From Adam until now and as far into the future as needed. Rejoice today because Jesus died for your sins and again on Sunday – Rejoice! For Christ is Risen!
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Christ is Risen! – In Greek
I love the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Because it’s a wonderful and charming movie with lots of fun things happening. I remember an amazing portion of the movie that’s very special to me. Toula is teaching Ian a traditional Greek greeting used at Easter. When two Greeks meet at Easter the first one says, “Christos Anesti!” and the other person responds, “Alithos Anesti!” In English, that would be “Christ is Risen!” With a response of “Truly, He is Risen!” I love that! For truly, He has risen!
Good Friday and It’s Truths
Christ died a bloody, horrible, lingering, vicious, unjustified and humiliating death – willingly – because he loved us. Furthermore, it was His Father’s plan from before time and our universe was ever created. We, relatively speaking, heartless humans can’t even imagine that kind of love. The love we understand as love is miniscule in comparison. Trying to describe God’s love for us (Christ’s love for us) in words is beyond my capabilities, but let me try to shed a ray of light on the subject.
Christ is Risen! God’s Infinite Love
He loved us so much that he created a world uniquely tuned to our needs. He created the sun and moon to light our day and night. Also, to provide for our need for seasons and a sense of time. He created a universe of stars to guide travelers, and also to display His majesty and creative power. Furthermore, He did it all as almost an afterthought “…he made the stars also.” (Genesis 1:16 KJV) He provides for the necessities of life for over 7 billion people on this planet. All the billions that have lived before us and the possible billions to come. He did all that and then provided Jesus to take our punishment. A punishment that Jesus never deserved. So that we wouldn’t have to pay the price for our sin with our own death. Jesus was our willing substitute. Now that’s love…
He Graciously Gave Us the Ability to Choose
He gave us the amazing opportunity to choose. So we choose who or what we will serve. We choose to accept Christ or reject Him. Therefore, if we fail to accept Jesus, we condemn ourselves. Because God doesn’t condemn anyone to Hell. They condemn themselves by their own poor choice. For those of us that have accepted God’s free gift of grace. We are truly blessed. Thus, we should worship Jesus, our Lord, and God, every day.
Dust Off Your Bibles
Many people at Easter take God down off of an almost forgotten shelf in a dark closet. Then unwrap Him for a day that is supposed to bring to the remembrance of Jesus’ willing and also generous sacrifice for their sins. But instead Easter’s dedicated to Easter Bunnies, baskets, colored eggs and candy. People dust off their Bibles and go to church for a day of worship. Then they’re done with worship until Christmas. So, they go more out of tradition or obligation. But that’s not how it’s supposed to be.
Praise, Honor, and Glorify Jesus Daily
God gave us everything, so why only worship Him on one or two days out of the year? He gave us His precious Son, so why ignore Him and focus on bunnies, eggs, and candy? Those aren’t bad things and I looked forward to them as a child but that’s just not what Easter is all about. I know now that Easter is all about the loving sacrifice Christ made for me – that’s what it’s all about – so I’m going to serve Him every day of the year and honor and praise Him for his willing sacrifice.
Attend Church Regularly
For those of you who are dusting off your Bibles and going to church Sunday, that’s wonderful! Now allow me to invite you to continue going every Sunday. Because God actually called us to assemble for fellowship and worship. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” God wants us to gather together often so that we can encourage each other in our faith. Furthermore, we are to gather together even more as the time of the rapture of the Church approaches. Biblical prophecy is unfolding before our eyes daily, so the time of Jesus’ return is close. Be ready every day! Because truly, Christ is Risen! And He will Return!