Good Friday, Good God

Hebrews 12:3-4—Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

We call today Good Friday, which seems somewhat paradoxical since today is the day we observe the crucifixion death of Jesus Christ.  Death by crucifixion is one of the most painful and tortuous ways a person can be put to death.  To make matters worse, Jesus was an innocent man who was put to death.  He was even eligible for a pardon, and the people cried out against Him – the very people who cheered for Him just days earlier.  To me, one of the most amazing attributes of God is that He asks nothing of us that He is not willing to endure Himself.  He did not have to come to Earth at all.  When He came, He did not have to fight for us.  He did not have to die for us.  He gave up Himself for us, a people who consistently failed to see Him for all He truly was and is.  He died to save people who refused to believe in Him.  He died to save mercurial people who wavered in their devotion to Him.  He died to save people who turned their back on Him.  When we see what He was willing to do for us, we know that there is nothing in our lives that He can’t understand.  He has literally walked in our shoes.  He has endured what we endure, under far worse circumstances even.  So, how can we ever lose heart? How can we ever grow weary?  Looking to Him, we can renew our spirits, revive our bodies, and persevere.  That is what makes today Good Friday.

Today as you pray and meditate on His Word, praise God for His Love, Mercy, and Devotion.  Pray for His Holy Spirit to fill you with strength and courage to persevere.  Worship God for the enduring sacrifice He made to connect with us, His Creation.  Thank Him for continual strength and renewal of spirit.