good friday

Good Friday. My God is good.

As a young life leader, every week we got to present part of the Gospel to our high school friends. Getting to give the club talk was by far one of my favorite parts of the ministry, because for 10 minutes I got to share information to a group of teenagers that could and so often did change their lives. We’d go through a series of talks, starting with just explaining who Christ was, some of the things He did while He was here, and what His teachings were. Then we’d move into what sin is (and what sin is NOT) and attempt to explain that concept which is so often misunderstood. After grasping that, we got to tell them what Christ did to deal with our sin. What He did to get rid of the only thing that separates us from Him. That He took our sin upon Himself and willingly took the punishment that we deserve. There’s SO much power in the message of the cross, and I am so honored that I was given the opportunity to stand up and give it time and time again.

Every Good Friday that message comes flooding back to me, and brings with it such a wide range of emotions; it brings me to tears instantly to think about the extreme physical pain He was in, what He must have been thinking knowing EXACTLY what He was willingly walking into, and that He loved me enough anyway to keep on walking. and yet that is followed by and overwhelming joy that the cross is not the end of the story, and even death couldn’t hold him down…

… but Sunday is coming, friends :0)

This has always been one of my favorite songs, and it was always so powerful to me to hear a room full of high school friends singing these words… enjoy :0)

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom