The Good of Good Friday - The Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Jesus, the Christ

The Cross of Christ – His death and resurrection is what the entire Bible points to. The Old Testament looks forward to the Cross of Christ and the New Testament gives the account and also continues, through the apostles and their preaching Christ and Him crucified. This historical event is the turning point for all of creation.

This is why we have a Good Friday, where we are to set time aside and worship Christ with all our heart, soul and might (Deut. 6:5-6; Matt. 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Lk 10:27) and what this event means in our new covenant relationship with the Father through Christ. 

I will be preaching on one of the sayings of Christ from the cross. However, some have asked what the other sayings were made by our Savior. Below are those sayings and I pray that we would think on these things not just during Easter but we might wright these in the cover of our Bibles and meditate on them throughout the year.

1.      “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

2.      “Verily [truly] I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

3.      “[Jesus] saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26-27).

4.      “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

5.      “I thirst.” (John 19:28)

6.      “It is finished:” (John 19:30).

7.      “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:” (Luke 23:46)

Bibliography:

Lutzer, Erwin W. Cries from the Cross: A Journey into the Heart of Jesus. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2002.

Pink, Arthur Walkington. The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2005.

The Centrality of the Cross

Martin Luther wrote that “I feel as if Jesus Christ died only yesterday.” Wow. How about you and I? Do we feel that way? I know that I want to. 

I not only want to feel that way but I want my faith family to learn to cultivate our understanding and appreciation and affection for the Cross. Why? So that we live the rest of our lives increasingly feeling as if He died only yesterday. 

Imagine how that would transform our lives. Preaching the gospel to ourselves everyday. That's exactly what the apostle Paul did, who wrote most of the New Testament. He said "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). A relevant passage for when it was written and to whom as the Christians in Corinth had drifted from the centrality of the Cross as is very relevant for us today.

God help us to determine in our lives to preach Christ and him crucified to ourselves each and every day. May we keep the centrality of the Cross in our lives as it is seen all through Scripture.