The sky slowly grows lighter, brighter on this Friday morning and I wonder,
was it bright that day, that Good Friday morning?
When he awoke (had he even slept?) to that day that would not be good for him.
My mind cannot help but think of what this day held for him …
the stomach turns,
the chest tightens,
the weight of his act falls on shoulders.
It was a gruesome day for him.
a lonely day.
a day apart.
Today cannot be fully appreciated without acknowledging the horrors, the bloodshed of this day. For that is part of the sacrifice made for humanity.
Yet, it was not war, which demands sacrifice with mutual killing, but sacrifice through substitution.
Jesus did not just die for our eternity, but he stepped into our place, accepting the cost of our sin, becoming our vicarious atonement.
He did this for no reason other than his love for us.
I love the contemporary poem by Unka Glen (above). I love how each line is so fitting to today, for, when he awoke on this Friday morning, he did so with love for us in his heart. He loved with patience for us, with no anger or memory of our mistakes … he walked the road of this day to protect us, to overcome death for us, to show that his loves never fails us … ever.
His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive
For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He free-ly gives.
My Hope is in the Lord – Norman John Clayton
itsawonderfilledlife 