Today is ‘Good Friday’ when we remember with both horror and thanksgiving the death of Jesus, the Son of God on His chosen altar – the cross of Calvary. It was here, outside the city wall of Jerusalem, that Jesus became sin and gave up His own life to win the victory over sin and death. The amazing fact is that this sacrificial act of Jesus opened up the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him.
Having confirmed Jesus’ death, by thrusting a spear into his side to allow blood and water to flow out separately, they let Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus in his tomb. The stone was rolled across the entrance and a Roman Guard was placed over the tomb. Yet despite all these precautions on the third day, (we call it Easter Sunday) the tomb was empty and over 500 people witnessed to the fact that Jesus is alive. Nothing could contain Jesus; sin, death, the grave, the might of the Roman Army – the most powerful army of the time, not the anger and political intrigue of the political leaders.
When the women went to the tomb to embalm Jesus properly, an angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him’.”. You see Jesus did die and was raised on the third day as He had taught His disciples. From this moment they began to understand.
For me, Easter is the most important time of the year, because it enables us to remember Jesus’ death and to celebrate His resurrection by God to show that His sacrifice has been accepted and is sufficient to cover the sin of all. He promised His disciples/followers/those whom study and apply His teaching that He would come back and take them to be with Him (John 14:1-6). We have not seen in the same way, but can believe in faith, not only for the past but also for the present and the future.
This is the sure and certain hope that I have in Him for the future of Cathryn, Matt, Luke and me. With Jesus, through faith, death is not the end but more the beginning as He has promised. Jesus was born to be like us, so that He could be tempted like us in every way, but was crucified on the cross, despite never breaking God’s will. Thus He was the spotless lamb of God, through whom we may know forgiveness for our sins and share in His victory over death – i.e. we too can be resurrected through faith in Him in His perfect way and time. For me and other followers of Jesus this represents the ultimate healing.
Trust you have a good Easter and find a personal , eternal relationship with Jesus, as you look into His claims revealed in the Bible and personal witness of Christians.