Each of us has a story, right? My story is filled with encounters, experiences (many good and others not-so-good), ups and downs, people who have made indelible impressions in my life, heartaches, and moments of pure joy. While your story is different than mine, Christians have one thing in common… the same foundation. In fact, our story wouldn’t be as good as it is without the events that took place on this Easter weekend 2,000 years ago. Today is Good Friday across the world, so I thought I would take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this day in the life of the believer. We love Easter Sunday, don’t we? We would love to skip over Friday to get to Sunday. But it’s imperative that we don’t do that. Resurrection Sunday wouldn’t be possible without that dark Friday.
David had never heard of crucifixion, but hundreds of years before it became a method of execution, he was given a prophecy about Jesus dying on the cross in Psalm 22. Here is what he writes:
- Everyone who sees me mocks me (v. 7).
- My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls (v. 12).
- All my bones are out of joint (v. 14).
- My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay (v. 15).
- My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth (v. 15).
- My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs (v. 16).
- I can count my bones (v. 17).
- My enemies stare at me and gloat (v. 17).
- They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing (v. 18).
These things were fulfilled in AD 32 when Jesus was crucified between two sinners. Was David moved in his spirit? Did he fall on his face before God? Was he afraid? Did he fall into a state of despondency? We don’t know all the details, but we do know that he told the people how to respond to all these things. Here are a few things…
- I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters (v. 22).
- I will praise you among your assembled people (v. 22).
- Praise the LORD, all who fear him (v. 23).
- Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob (v. 23).
- Show him reverence (v. 23).
- I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you (v. 25).
- Bow before him (v. 29).
In other words, we should live indebted to the One who gave His life for ours. Lou and I saw a movie last night called, “A Great Awakening.” It was a story about the GREAT evangelist, George Whitefield, who led thousands to the Lord during the 1700’s. It was also about his relationship with Benjamin Franklin. On some days, he would preach to a crowd in the morning, mount a horse and travel 50 miles to another city, and preach to them later that day. Every place he entered, he saw their need for Jesus. That’s all he talked about. He literally poured out his life for the salvation of others. I believe it’s because he was undone at what Jesus had done for him. If only we could be too. If only we would revisit this day (Good Friday) not just once a year but throughout the year. What Jesus went through for you and me… so that we could be free… should make us respond like David did and like George Whitefield did. Let today bring renewed praise to your heart and refreshment to your soul. Let’s proclaim His name.