“Good Friday”

Dear FBCO Friend:

On this pivotal day Jesus took my cross and paid for my sin. He did the same for you.  Good Friday is only “good” from the perspective of Easter Sunday - the Day of Resurrection. Without the resurrection, Good Friday would be the most horrible, despised day ever - the day hate killed perfect LOVE. Because of the resurrection, LOVE defeated death, deception and transforms lives and families one heart at a time!

Today, I think of Jesus' sacrifice by stopping to pray at 3 distinct times:

• Morning: Jesus was crucified - all of this after His illegal arrest, being up all night, beaten so bad He could not be recognized as a human. Stop this morning and reflect on these verses: “Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign over Him that read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.' The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.” John 19:17-20

• Noon: At noon the whole world was plunged into darkness. It was as dark at midday as it is at midnight - showing God the Father turned His back on Jesus and poured out His wrath for sin on His perfect Son. I deserved that wrath. So do you. Jesus bore the burden of every sin ever committed. Meditate on these verses and thank God for His tremendous gift: “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:44-45 Because He bore our guilt and punishment we are free, forgiven, and accepted by God. Cleansing love washed out the stain of our sin.

• 3:00pm: Seeing the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled and realizing His death is sufficient for the payment of sin, Jesus cried out, " 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up His spirit." John 19:30 The phrase “it is finished" is the Greek word “Tetelestai!” Those who heard Jesus exclaim "Tetelestai" were puzzled. "Tetelestai" is the exclamation of a runner in a track race who crosses the finish line first, realizing he won the race and claiming the victory. Hardly the word of a criminal executed on a cross.  No one "took" Jesus' life, they could not. Jesus gave His life for us. That is why John 19:30 says Jesus “gave up His spirit”. The race was run and the battle won. We can be forgiven. Shame, guilt, despair, etc. were defeated at the cross. We can be cleansed of sin and filled with His Spirit as we submit our will to His. At 3:00pm today, thank God because Jesus won your victory. Then live in His victory in whatever battles or challenges you face today.

You will see no devotional from me on Saturday - the day hope vanished. Think about Christ in the grave and the despair of His followers. Though they had been told, they didn’t comprehend the miracle of the resurrection.

For those of you who have tickets to the Seder, I am eager to celebrate it with you at 6:00pm. If you can’t come, turn in your tickets - we have a long waiting list.

I am eager to gather with you on Easter Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30am. There will be no Sunday School (except for Preschool) so families can bring friends and enjoy Worship together. If people will come any day, they will come Easter Sunday - if you invite them. I hope to have as many as 10 lost friends with me. Our Christian Arts ministry has prepared long and hard and the music will glorify the risen King. Pray for me as I put the finishing touches on a message of hope from the heart of God. Bring a worthy gift to continue the Ministry of the King through FBCO in tithes and offerings to retire the mortgage. He paid the price in His blood - we have the privilege of giving that others may know.

I am eager to see you this Easter as we realize afresh and anew, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

The shepherd loves the sheep,

Pastor Roger