Good Friday – What does it mean to you?
1:23 Repent at my rebuke! I will pour out my heart to you and make my thoughts known to you.
Jesus’ time had come. He had fulfilled the work that the Father had for Him, which was to demonstrate that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him through the signs given (healings and miracles). It was now time for Him to do what no one else could do: Kill death. The power of death held those who die in bondage in Hades. I’m not sure what all that entailed, but that is the general idea of what happened to those who died. Many people called it, “the sleep of death,” meaning that a person was held in stasis until they were awakened on Judgment Day (John 11:24). The story of Lazarus and the rich man indicates that people are conscious in Hades, but already receive some form of blessings or consequences there (see Luke 16:19-31).
Whatever the case was, Jesus came to break the hold that Satan had on His children. Jesus declared His intentions in John 12:31-32,
31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
I love the phrase, “I will draw all people to myself.” How does Christ draw you? What does the cross mean in your life? Are you afraid of death? Many people work hard to feel secure and be healthy because they are afraid. Jesus wants us to look beyond this life to the one that He has in store for us. Can you trust Him for this new life? It starts the moment we let go of this world and grab hold of His nail-scarred hand. He is drawing everyone to Himself. How can we resist His awesome love?
Abba, as we remember Your sacrifice through the offering of Your life for ours, may we take Your hand as You extend it to us. In You is peace, Your peace, not as the world gives, but as You give. In Your peace is love, hope, security, fellowship, and complete JOY. You tell us to ask for it, so I’m asking (John 16:24). May we rejoice in Your victory over the grave this weekend, O Lord! Amen.
In the Master's Hands 