Day 108 Good Friday

4/18/2025

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Today is a double blessing - the Jewish observances of the Sabbath begins at sunset and the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover coming to a close tomorrow evening coincides with the Christian observance of Good Friday. In Deuteronomy 16:3, unleavened bread is called the "bread of affliction,"which is interesting considering Jesus was whipped or afflicted for our transgressions, bore stripes for our chastisement, bruises for our healing, and endured shame by being crucified. Passover, as I have been sharing, remembers the exodus from Egypt with the blood of the lamb placed over the doorposts and lintels of the home to prevent the death of those inside, while Good Friday remembers Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross as the Lamb slain for remission of our sins, without spot or blemish, the perfect, sinless Lamb of God. He who knew no sin became sin for us. Good Friday is the day Jesus died for the sins of the world. The day He gave His life as a ransom for our sins so that we could have eternal life and thus have fellowship with God our Father who is Holy. It is only through the blood of Jesus that we can be made holy before a Holy God.

On the cross, Jesus spoke seven times, the last words spoken were "It is finished," then He died, but He didn't stay in the grave. He rose on the third day to ascend to the right hand of the Father where He lives to make intercession on our behalf. Jesus promised that He would never leave or forsake the disciples, yet He said it was expedient for them that He go away (John 16:7-15). Of course they misunderstood, as they only had moments of understanding until after He rose from the dead. They remembered that previously He had said unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it will not live, and as such, not produce fruit:

John 12:23-26: "But Jesus answered them, saying, 'The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.'" 

Jesus also told the disciples that He would send them a helper, the Comforter, who would empower them and remind them of everything He ever taught them. For the believer, the promise of Holy Spirit is also promised to us. The purpose of Holy Spirit is to convict the world of sin, thus leading them to fellowship with God. But this is Friday, so I'll stop here.

As you all know I am a faith fan of The Chosen series. Wednesday night I saw the final episodes of Season 5, that ended with the betrayer's kiss. Jesus has already agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He encounters some interesting visitors while crying out for Abba to take the cup away. I won't share any more, as it would definitely be a spoiler should anyone who has not seen it reads my blogs. Let me just say, it was thought provoking and wonderful.

Until Shabbat, Shalom.