It's interesting that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and the one that was released by Pilate was also called Jesus--Jesus Barabbas. Barabbas literally translates as the son of the father, bar abbas. So Jesus, the Son of God is crucified in the place of Jesus, the son of the father. Jesus Barabbas was a murderer and an insurrectionist. Jesus, the Son of God was innocent. The Bible says that He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. He died in our place. Like Jesus Barabbas, we are the ones that are guilty before The Law. We are the ones that have fallen short of the perfection of God. We are the ones that are worthy of death. But the God that created us is a God that loves us and is unwilling for us to be eternally separated from Him because of our sin. The Bible says that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I don't think that I can look at the events of this day from long ago and call it a good day. Even though it was a day that I needed to take place, it was a day that showcased the arrogance and self-centered will of man. It is a day that reminds me of the weakness and the evil that is in our hearts. It is a day that reminds me that we are so unworthy of the love that God has for us. It is a day that reminds me of the death that I deserve and of the mercy and grace that God bestows on a sinner such as me.
Good Friday. It is a day for me to reflect on just how great God's love is.
Jesus died so that we might have eternal life. In His death is the pardon for our sin. It is the payment for the wrong that we have done. You can know that you have an eternal home in heaven by believing that Jesus died for your sins--that He took your place; your punishment; your penalty. It is God's gift to you.
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