COMMEMORATING GOOD FRIDAY: A REMINDER OF CHRIST’S LOVE AND REDEMPTION

By Dr. Andareas Peter

Today we are blessed to see another Good Friday – the commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion – at Golgotha, which has immeasurable significance in the life of a Believer and equally on her demise. This demise is not “The End” but a beginning of an eternal afterlife, promised by Christ’s resurrection. So these three days starting with Good Friday and culminating on Easter Sunday mark both an end and a beginning and the will to believe and accept this end and this beginning is each individual. Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians around the world. The Bible tells us that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This verse encapsulates the essence of Good Friday and the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ’s death on the cross was the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. He willingly gave his life so that we could be reconciled to God and have eternal life. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not just a historical event but has eternal significance. The Bible teaches us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Our sins have separated us from God, and we deserve death. But God, in his love and mercy, provided a way for us to be saved through the death and resurrection of his Son. As we reflect on the significance of Good Friday, we must remember that it is not just a day of mourning but also a day of hope. Christ’s death was not the end, but the beginning of something new. The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday is the foundation of our faith and the promise of eternal life. The Bible tells us that “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As believers, we have the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ. Good Friday also reminds us of the depth of Christ’s love for us. The Bible teaches us that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love for us by willingly sacrificing himself on the cross. He did not have to do it, but he chose to do so out of love for us. This love is the reason why we can have hope and faith in Christ. Good Friday also reminds us of the cost of discipleship. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus’ death on the cross was not just a one-time event, but it also serves as an example of us to follow. As followers of Christ, we must be willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. This means putting God’s will above our own and being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. The Bible tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This verse shows that God’s love is not limited to believers but extends to all of humanity. The significance of Good Friday is a testimony to the world of God’s love for us and the hope that we have in Christ.

As young people, it is essential to understand the significance of this sacrifice and how it relates to our lives. The Bible teaches us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This verse means that we all make mistakes and fall short of God’s expectations for us. It is easy for us as young people to get caught up in our own lives and make mistakes. However, it is important to understand that our mistakes have consequences, and it is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that we can be forgiven. Good Friday also reminds us of the depth of Christ’s love for us. The Bible teaches us that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love for us by willingly sacrificing himself on the cross. As young people, it is essential to understand the depth of this love and how it relates to our own lives. Christ’s love for us is unconditional and knows no boundaries. It is the reason why we can have hope and faith in Him. Good Friday also reminds us of the cost of discipleship. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). As young people, it is important to understand the cost of discipleship and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Following Christ means putting God’s will above our own and being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. It means living a life that reflects the love of Christ and being a witness to the world.

Finally, Good Friday is a day of hope and we have the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ.  The Bible tells us that “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As young people, it is important to understand that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith and the promise of eternal life. We have the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ, and this should give us comfort and strength as we face the challenges of life.

 

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CHRIST'S LOVE AND REDEMPTION
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