It Was a Good Friday

Jesus knows what it’s like to have his prayers not answered in the way he asked for them to be answered.

But he said, “Not my will, but your will be done.”

“My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”—Matthew 26:39

Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted with sin.

But he never sinned (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13).

Jesus knows what it’s like to agonize over what God has called him to.

“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”—Luke 22:43-44

But he did it anyway, remaining obedient to the end (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-26).

Jesus knows what it’s like to be scorned, abused, and misunderstood (Isaiah 53:3).

But he is God!

Jesus knows what it’s like to grieve and experience tremendous loss (Matthew 27:46).

But he did it for us.

Jesus knows what it’s like to feel alone and rejected.

But he is the Son of God.

Jesus knows what it’s like to be separated from the Father.

But because of his momentary separation, we, who are in Christ, will never be separated from the Father.

Jesus bore our sorrows, sins, suffering, and grief so we could have an understanding and perfect Savior (Isaiah 53:4).

But more importantly, he bore the wrath we deserved so we could be brought into his family, by faith in his finished work (Isaiah 53:5, 10-12).

Our Savior is not aloof and uninvolved. He suffered more, at the hand of God, than we will ever experience so we could be reconciled to God and have hope for our despair and atonement for our sins.

Hallelujah, what a Savior! And that’s not even the end of the story. Sunday is coming.