As we reflect on this Good Friday, let's embark on a journey into the depths of the cross—a symbol not of defeat but of redemption. Today, we'll explore the reality of Jesus' sacrifice, inviting us to see it through fresh eyes and open hearts.
Picture Jesus on that fateful day, bearing the weight of the world's brokenness upon His shoulders. In His humanity, He grappled with the impending agony, yet His divinity anchored Him to the Father's will. We see this tension in His cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, NIV), a raw expression of the depths of His suffering.
But let's not forget the bigger picture here. The cross wasn't merely a tragic end to a noble life—it was the culmination of God's redemptive plan. As Paul writes in Romans 5:8 (NIV), "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It's a love so radical, so extravagant, that it willingly embraces the agony of the cross for our sake.
What is sin? Our sins are the fractures in our relationship with God and with one another. They manifest in various forms—selfishness, pride, injustice, deceit. They are the barriers that separate us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and purpose for our lives.
Yes, the cross exposes the brokenness of humanity—the cruelty, the injustice, the sin that nailed Jesus to that tree. Yet, it's also a symbol of hope, of renewal, of new beginnings. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
So, as we ponder the cross on this Good Friday, let's not shy away from its discomforting truths. Instead, let's lean into its power, allowing it to reshape our hearts and minds. For in the cross, we find the ultimate expression of God's love—a love that conquers sin and death, a love that offers us new life and reconciliation.