Thinking about the death of Jesus is a somber experience, yet it’s important for each of us to recognize the incredible length God was willing to go to on our behalf.
In today’s devotional, we are reflecting on Good Friday, the day Jesus went to the cross on our behalf. Thinking about the death of Jesus is a somber experience, yet it’s important for each of us to recognize the incredible length God was willing to go to on our behalf. So today, let’s explore why Jesus had to suffer and what his sacrifice means for each of us.
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 6:23 ESV
You probably know that Jesus died on Good Friday for our sins so we could be saved. But why couldn’t God simply forgive them without the sacrifice of Jesus?
If someone owes you money, you don’t require that a third person die to pay their debt. When someone hurts you, you can simply forgive them. In fact, you’re told by Scripture to do so in Ephesians 4:32.
Why, then, did our Father not simply forgive us as he tells us to forgive others? Why did he require his Son to die so we could be forgiven?
When we look at Romans 6:23, we see that it says “the wages of sin is death.” “Wages” can also be translated as “compensation” or “payment.” So when we choose to sin, the ultimate payment or consequence of our choice is death.
This is because sin breaks our relationship with a holy God: Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” And our relationship with God is our source of life. As Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
When we cut flowers from their roots and place them in a vase, at that moment they begin to die. They may look vibrant and healthy, but we have cut them off from their source of life. This is what sin does to humans.
Consequently, to pay the penalty incurred by sin, someone must die. But another person cannot die for your sins since they have their own sins for which to pay. The only person who could die for our sins would be someone who had never sinned and had no debt of his own to pay.
The only person in all of human history who qualifies is the sinless Lord Jesus.
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
This is why Jesus had to die for you. But don’t forget: he made the choice to do so. We’re told in Revelation 13:8 that he is “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (NIV), which means that, before time began, Jesus chose to die for you.
He would do it all again, just for you.
Today’s devotional is written by Jim Denison
1. Reflect on the last sin you committed. Recognize that this sin alone would be enough to separate you from a holy God and send you to an eternity in hell. Take a moment to express your gratitude to God for the sacrifice and grace of Jesus.
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
2. Consider the depth of pain Jesus suffered when he was whipped, beaten, and executed on this day. Crucifixion is the cruelest form of execution ever devised. As a result, you can face no suffering that he did not experience for you. What pain would you trust to him today?
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
3. Reflect on the fact that the Father watched his Son suffer unimaginable torture for you. Thank him for such unimaginable love and grace.
“For our sake [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Phillips Brooks observed, “Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.”
Every person you know needs to experience such grace. They need to know that they have been “died for,” that someone took the penalty for their sins and purchased their salvation.
The best way to respond today to the grace of Good Friday is to share that grace with someone else.
Then today will be “Good” Friday, indeed.
Extended reading: Romans 6
The best way to respond today to the grace of Good Friday is to share that grace with someone else.
