I had often wondered why the day my Lord Jesus died is called “Good” Friday. It seems odd to call a day good when such terrible things were done to Him and He died.
From the betrayal the night before, to most of His closest friends abandoning him, to the scourging, ridiculing and outright lies told about Him, It seems there was not much good leading up to Friday. It goes from bad to worse, Jesus is so weak from the beatings and loss of blood, yet He must carry His own cross to the crucifixion site. Being fully man, He is tired and in excruciating pain, yet He says not a word.
He feels all that we would feel if we had gone through this day instead of Him. His human body is near death. He does not call legions of angels to help Him. He could have. I know He could have. He is fully God… in human flesh.
It should have been me on that cross. I’m the guilty one, not Him. He is perfect. He could have said, “Forget it, she’s not worth it, Take Me home Father.” But He did not say anything like that. He has to finish. He is the only Way to be reconciled to the Father. My sin is great but His love is greater.
He has one more thing to say but His lips are so parched. He is thirsty. He has been on the cross nearly 6 hours and probably without water since supper the night before.
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said,…I thirst! Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth” John 19:28
He is also fulfilling Psalm 69:21.
“They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:21
Maybe, do you think…He needs to wet His lips, to speak so the people can hear. As He struggles to take a breath, He knows it is time.
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:30
“It is finished!” What Jesus came to do, He finished. Our sin debt was PAID IN FULL! Woo Hoo!
I understand now why it is called “Good Friday” GOOD NEWS for you and me! He had to die to defeat sin & death. To finish the hold it had on us. In three days, on Easter, He rises from the dead so we can live!
When we choose to make Jesus our Lord & Savior…we are FREE!
GOOD JOB my AMAZING SAVIOR. Thank YOU!
IAMHIZ.blog 