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Good Friday

24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26 (NIV)

Today is Good Friday; but to Mary, the disciples, and those who believed and followed Christ it was anything but good. The Son of Man, that was loved, had been arrested, convicted by trial, and was to be executed. I’m sure this news had spread quickly throughout the city. A man who had been hailed as King on Sunday was now in prison and waiting execution by crucifixion.   Can you imagine the crowd that lined the side of the Via Delarosa on this day? Were people crying? Were some of them heckling Jesus as he struggled to carry the cross to Golgotha? What about the roman guards as they tried to maintain order? What sadness must have been over this city? No wonder Jesus had wept for Jerusalem earlier in the week. What they did not know, which we know today, is that Sunday morning is coming.
      At the foot of the cross stood Mary, his mother, other women followers, and only one disciple, John, who followed his master to his death. Can you imagine the pain, the agony, confusion, and the thoughts that Mary was feeling at this moment? “Didn’t God tell me I was to be the mother of the Messiah, the redeemer of Israel? God, what is this all about?   Was it all for nothing? Is this the end?” What Mary did not know was that Sunday morning is coming?
      What were the Pharisees feeling and thinking at this time? Were they feeling glad that this rebel rouser was once and for all dealt with? Were they feeling satisfied with themselves? This man had been a thorn in their side now for three years. Jesus was a respected teacher of the common people. Jesus was out of the picture and not a threat to their way of religion any longer. Finally, they were able to put a stop to this radical teacher of false prophecy. What they did not know was that Sunday morning is coming.
      The disciples went into hiding fearful of whether or not they would be next. Do you think that they were beginning to think that they had wasted three years of their life following Jesus? After all, they had left their families and their friends. Had given up their jobs to follow this man. What was to happen next? They huddled together thinking the worse, but what they did not know was that Sunday morning is coming.
      What are your thoughts on this Good Friday? Is this just another day in just another ordinary day? What will you do today in remembrance of Christ and his sacrificial death? Will you stop and give thanks? Will you talk to your children and teach them that Easter is more than the Easter bunny, ham, and new clothing. We know the end of the story…Easter morning came and Christ was not defeated…Christ was not kept in the tomb. Christ is alive and continues to live today. As followers of Christ, we keep Christ alive in our hearts, and we make Christ real to people through our service, actions, and words. Don’t know about you, but I’m glad that Sunday came! Yes, today is Good Friday, but Sunday morning is coming.
Prayer: Precious Lord, Thank you for Sunday. Thank you for the eternal life that is made possible through the events of Good Friday. Help me to show Christ to those who need to know of this wonderful gift of Easter. Let me not take my salvation for granted but serve with a renewed love. Amen