Today
is “Good” Friday.
It seems almost sacrilegious
in a way to call the day that our Saviour was falsely accused, despised,
rejected, mocked, brutally beaten, and then shamefully murdered execution style
as “Good”? One of the most incredible truths is that
Jesus, who experienced all this pain would agree that this day was truly “Good”!
Hebrews 12:2-3 says:
“Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set
before him endured
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Consider
him who endured such
opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (NIV,1984).
It
blows my mind away to think that you and I were “the JOY set before him”! Jesus could look beyond all the heartache,
rejection and pain because He knew that out of His pain was going to bring about
the salvation of the world! Jesus knew
that Sunday was coming and He would rise again!
Breaking this verse down, you can see how focused Jesus was in His
mission. He endured the cross, didn’t
listen to those who spoke negative about Him and then sat down in the seat of
power and authority, symbolizing that His job was done. In these verses the writer of the Hebrews,
who many believe was Paul, encouraged us to “Fix our eyes on Jesus” and to “consider”
what He went through so that we won’t “grow weary and lose heart”.
What he’s saying here is that there is a
purpose for what you’re going through.
If you keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t give up, God will get you
through whatever your facing, so that when God’s work is seen in your life it
will bring about the salvation of others!
How incredible is that?
Acts 1:8
tells us that we can all live empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for
Christ. God wants to use YOU! God does
not promise you a life free of trouble, but He does promise you a victorious
life!
Life on this earth will bring you hardships whether you’re living for God
or not. If you choose to let God in with
His love and strength, you will rise above.
He will bring about joy from your pain.
Once you’ve been through a few really hard times and you have seen God get
you through, you understand how James could say “`Consider it, pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2).
Joy, not because we like what is happening,
but joy because we understand that God will use everything for His redemptive
plan! Whatever you’re facing today,
remember it is “Good” Friday and all those things that “seemingly” have the
power to keep you down don’t know that Sunday’s coming!!!
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