18 | April | 2019 | You Are Not the Only One

#Finished #GoodFriday #PlanExecuted

Good Friday is a challenge for people to understand. Why is it good-that is the question that people ask all the time?

Wasn’t Jesus Crucified on Good Friday?

Yes, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. So, why is it good?

1. It was necessary for someone to die for us to receive the priceless gift of eternal life.

The Death of Jesus

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.⁴About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).⁴⁷When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[i] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons (Matt 27:45-56).

Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph

So, he died so what? He had to die in order for there to be a resurrection.

The Guard at the Tomb

“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Verses 62-66).

Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph

Pilate and the religious institution wanted to make sure that no one could claim that he was resurrected. They took all the necessary measures to ensure that it did not happen. BUT God has other plans.

Jesus Has Risen

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. His death and resurrection opened the way for us to have an eternal relationship with him. He loved us so much that he allowed himself to be beaten to the point of death” (Matthew 28:1-10).

To answer the question what makes Good Friday good?

The perfect good Son of God – took the sins of all mankind on himself. As you watch the video below. Visualize yourself being beaten for your sins, and then thank you that you did not have to be. That is why it is so good. You and I have an opportunity to live eternally with Jesus and God because of this day. Isn’t that good?

For more information: read this devotional: The Veil Was Rent in Two.

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