Hallelujah For The Cross

Today is known as ‘Good Friday’ and it is a day of remembrance, reflection, thankfulness, and celebration; as we think about the ultimate sacrifice Jesus paid as He died on the cross for our sins. It was the most horrible day, yet we call it ‘good’. This is because what Judas, Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and the crowd meant for evil, God meant it for good. Today is a day where we see God’s sovereign hand for good. It is a day we collectively say, “Hallelujah for the Cross!”

Take a moment to read these verses in John, Romans, and Isaiah… meditate, journal, and reflect.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 

John 3:16-18

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:6-11

5 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 53:5

In order for us to receive the joy of Easter, Jesus’s resurrection, Good Friday had to happen. As horrible as it was, the wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus. In order for there to be forgiveness and salvation for you and me, there had to be a spotless and blameless sacrifice. In order for God to be both just and the justifier, this day had to happen. Though none of us deserve this kind of love, mercy, and forgiveness, God still lavished it on us, by the blood of Jesus.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

By His stripes, we are healed. By His death, we live. He overcame sin. He overcame death. By His blood, He bought our freedom and redemption. Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus!

Wherever you find yourself today, I pray you would be encouraged by the goodness and faithfulness of God, through this beautiful picture of justice and mercy.

Reflection: Reflect on what God has done for you, by sending His Son to pay the penalty we all deserve. He did this so we could have eternal life and a relationship with Him—a Holy and Righteous God. Take some time to thank God for His gloriously good plan to redeem the world from the bondage of sin and death, and into a relationship with Him.

Today’s Worship Song: Hallelujah For The Cross — Chris McClarney

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npe6gqweNUk

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5F8BAvMlGfsmSEIHEJb5BT?si=UEISwfFmTYiwpqMBE0z_FA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hallelujah-for-the-cross/1356806889?i=1356808241

If you have any questions about what you read today, please reach out to me. I would love to talk with you more about Jesus and God’s gloriously good plan to rescue us! My email is blrich1399@gmail.com

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With Love,
Brooke