Reflections from Annie . . . . . .

Good Friday?  The darkest day on earth.  The day when Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, tortured, mocked, hung on a cross.  The day He took on all our sin and was separated from His Father.  The day He died.  Good Friday?

Yes, Good Friday.  The day the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His friends.  The day He gave His life for us, the unworthy.  The day He demonstrated the ultimate act of love.  The day He willingly followed God’s will and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Yes, Good Friday.  Remember to thank Him for dying on the cross for you and me.  Remember the cost, the price paid – for us.  Then,  remember to spread the Good News – Sunday is coming.  He rose.  Death is defeated.  We are set free.  We are reconciled to God and can enter the gate to Heaven.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Thank you Lord Jesus.

Reflections from Rich . . . . . . .

Jesus dying on a cross for my sins?  A Father allowing His Son to be tortured both physically and mentally, beaten so badly that as it is written in the Bible “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness”.  It begs the question Why? Or, at least for me it did.  Why would God allow His Son to go through this?  Why would Jesus go through with it, knowing His fate?  Why did an innocent man have to die for me?  It is beyond human comprehension – beyond comprehension of any parent here on earth.  God loved us so much that He sent His Son to take our place. 

Why?  I have thought about this often and have come to this realization – After looking deep into my own soul, really doing some serious self-examination, and studying the Bible, I realized I couldn’t save myself.  Even on my “best” days, in the smallest moments of my life, those moments where I believed I was really doing it right, being “good”, I would eventually stumble and have to start again.  This led me to the question not why or how God could have allowed this to happen to His Son, but how could I truly be able to save myself. . . a question you might also want to ponder.

I think I am a pretty “good” person, but what is “good”?  What’s the scale?  And, how good do I have to be to be included with the souls in heaven?  Well for Me, it was clear.  My best “good” isn’t good enough.  Can I really comprehend the sacrifice made for me?  No!  But, do I understand why it was made?  YES!  I also now understand there is nothing I have done, will do, or can do to add to what God has done for me through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.  Before Jesus gave up his spirit, He said, “It is finished”.  I believe in that statement.  He was making it clear to us that the debt was paid for all who choose to believe.  I do believe!