The 'Good' in Good Friday
By Annemarie McLean
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV)
This Good Friday, take a moment to pause and reflect on all Jesus endured leading up to, and on, the Cross — for us.
ㅤ
Besides being spit on, mocked, and humiliated with a crown of thorns, Jesus also endured a brutal scourging at the hands of Roman soldiers. The 39 lashes inflicted nerve and muscle trauma on him, excruciating lacerations, and severe blood loss. Then in His weakened state, He was forced to carry a heavy rough-hewn solid wood cross that weighed over 140 pounds.
ㅤ
Because Jesus suffered, He understands our suffering. While most of us will never know what it feels like to be flogged, figuratively, we can find ourselves “scourged” by what life whips at us and feel like we’re forced to carry crosses too heavy for us to bear.
ㅤ
A devastating diagnosis.
An unexpected loss of income.
Death of a marriage.
Abandonment by a parent.
Rejection from friends.
ㅤ
It’s here the “Good” in Good Friday invades the darkest day in all human history and intersects our lives.
ㅤ
Jesus carried the weight of the world, so we don’t have to.
ㅤ
As God’s Suffering Servant and Perfect Spotless Lamb, Jesus took our griefs, sorrows, sickness, anxiety, sadness and pain upon Himself. He carried them to the Cross to die with Him.
ㅤ
Yes, your pain can die at the Cross.
Your anxiety and depression can die at the Cross.
Your sadness, sorrow, sickness and sin can also die with Jesus at the Cross.
ㅤ
Jesus, “for the joy set before Him,” took all of it upon Himself for us — enduring the Cross and despising the shame that we might have peace with God (Hebrews 12:2). That we might be healed –– spirit, soul, and body.
This is the “Good” of Good Friday.
Whatever cross you’re bearing today, remember that over 2,000 years ago, Jesus carried it for you.
ㅤ
Let Him.
For more from Annemarie McLean, click HERE.