Good Friday
Isaiah 52: 13-53:12 Hebs. 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9 John 18: 1-19:42
Theme: He Died for You
Today the church celebrates the Lord’s Passion, otherwise known as Good Friday. On this day, we are reminded of the Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our Salvation. To redeem humanity, he chose to become Man, suffered and died; thereby setting humanity free from the bondage of sin and death by shedding his blood. With his action he redeemed humanity and triumphed over sin and death. Expatiating on this point, the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews would say, “Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives…” (Hebs. 2:14-15).
In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah took up the theme of the suffering Messiah, prefiguring the kind of death Jesus would undergo for the salvation of humanity. He clearly stated that the Suffering Servant of God (Jesus Christ) would go through persecutions and pains that finally ended in his death. Similarly, the theme of suffering was taken up in the second reading. Here the finished work of Jesus through suffering and death was clearly explicated. And through this act of intense suffering Jesus, the Great High Priest has taken his place of Authority over all creatures, dominions, and powers. He now holds the keys of death and the world of death. Like He rightly said, “I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive for ever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead” (Rev. 1:18). This goes to show the depth of love that he had for you and I that made him accept to go to Calvary and die for our sake. He was God and understood what awaits him on the way to the cross, yet he was willing to go all the way because of his love for us all.
The death of Jesus on the cross, gives a new meaning to the understanding of the cross. This is because it is in the cross of Christ we will meet him, find true peace and salvation. It should be a source of strength and hope for us all as his followers. This is because the cross does not end in pain, sorrows, and difficulties. Just like that of Jesus, it will always end in the praise of God and for our own good. It is a source of strength, triumph, and victory for all those who believe in God. As Christians, we can be a source of strength and hope in giving a helping hand to people who are carrying their own cross; just like Simon did for Jesus. Whenever we can do this, we attract the blessings of God to ourselves and our families. Through the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, God has given us the power to triumph over sin and death. It is my prayer that the death of Jesus on the cross will not be in vain in our life. May almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.