Good Friday

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” by Selah

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

For me, this may very well be the song that best reflects what happened on Good Friday.  We see the measure of God’s love for us as sinners by his offering of his very own son.

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

I don’t think we can overestimate or fully grasp the pain and rejection Christ felt on our behalf.  As tortuous as death by crucifixion must be, the worst loss was to take on God’s wrath that we his sons and daughters would be made righteous.

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

As we see Christ on the cross, we are confronted by our own guilt.  The old hymn asks, Were you there when they crucified my Lord?  Of course, the answer for us is yes and no.  While we were not eye witnesses, our guilt made it necessary.

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

But the nails weren’t necessary, our sins and his love would have held him there. In his song Why?  Michael Card asks, “And why did they nail His feet and hands? His love would have held him there” 

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Galatians 6:14

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

The paradox of the cross is so powerful.  A torture device becomes a symbol of hope; our guilt is taken away by His innocence, we are healed by his wounds.  This is part of power of the Easter season. 

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”. 1 Peter 2:23-24