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 Hebrews 12:1 - Good Friday

We may feel alone.  But we are not.  Not in God’s Kingdom.  We are surrounded by “a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (12:1).  Saved from sin; saved unto eternity with God.

Good Friday.  In Calgary, where we raised our kids, we got together with thousands of other Christians on Good Friday for a massive gathering and reverent remembering of what Christ did for us.  Body broken.  Blood shed.  Once for all time.  Then we spent the day with those in our church, picnicking, fellowshipping, sharing in the goodness of God, and remembering His sacrifice.

        Good Friday is a day to be revered by the Christians.  I remember my Muslim neighbour, Manal, asking me one day why Christians don’t make a bigger deal about Easter.  I didn’t have a good answer for her.  

Good Friday is when we remember the enormity of the Son of God’s sacrifice for us on the cross.

We understand it when others are held accountable for their sins.  We affirm it.  Law and order, justice.  Amen!  But what about when we examine our lives?  What about our sins?

We hear in God’s judgment on Israel before the sacking of Jerusalem in 586 BC what God says about whom judgment falls upon.  God said, “I will call you to account for all your detestable sins.  I will turn my eyes away and show no pity … The people’s wickedness and pride have blossomed to full flower…None of these proud and wicked people will survive.  All their wealth and prestige will be swept away” (Ezekial 7:8-11).  God’s judgment is a reality of the human condition.

People think it can’t happen to them.  It’s okay for the wicked and the proud and the criminal to be held to account, but God forbid their sins be exposed.

The Bible says, “For what God has said applies to everyone - it will not be changed!  Not one person whose life is twisted by sin will ever recover” (Ezekiel 7:13).  Yes, that was a message to ancient Israel.  But it is consistent with the Gospel (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

So who will save us from this predicament of our condition?  Is there a way to recover from God’s judgment on sin?  Is there a way out?  Yes, because of the Cross (Acts 4:12-14).  Because of Jesus' great love for us shown on the Cross - deep love, so deep that He sweated blood with the humble determination and conviction of what was before Him.  Jesus left his friends after leading them for three years to do what He came to earth to do.  It was Jesus’ love for his friends, his family, and every person born of a woman.  God's sacrifice is our rescue.  Through the Cross of Christ is the only Way.

The trumpet of judgment will call one day.  And when it does, the Cross is the only answer for a life twisted by sin.

Lord Jesus, please bring more people to your Cross of forgiveness today.  Please help us to serve You as You build your Kingdom and bring multitudes to You.  Many will not see any issue with their lives and will not heed Your warning.  Yet others will know without a doubt that they are sinners with only one hope.  

Thank You for the Cross.  May we remember well today what You did for us, our King, and may we patiently and steadfastly await Your return along with a huge crowd of our brothers and sisters.  Amen.




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