Good Friday

Today is the day we commemorate the greatest sacrifice ever made. Today is the day we commemorate the love so great of a God so good, who sent His only Son to die so that He could offer grace to a sinful world. Today is the day we commemorate the pain and agony Christ suffered in order to provide a way--the only way--to be close to God, to have a relationship with Him.

Although today is the day set aside to remember Jesus' crucifixion, it should not be the only day we remember. How many times have I been guilty of taking my salvation for granted? Every day of my life should be a witness to the hope Jesus' death and resurrection gives me.

I'd like to share with you some words from a hymn written by Eugene M. Bartlett:

I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him--
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

(Words taken from a hymnal entitled Hymns for the Family of God, copyright 1976 Paragon Associates, Inc.)

In this hymnal 1 John 5:4 is cited along with this hymn. I'd like to share 1 John 5:4-5.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (NKJV)

In Jesus, we are victorious! Our lives should reflect that wonderful news every day. And because Jesus rose again, we have more than enough reason to live joyfully and look heavenward, for He is coming again! And because of God's grace, we can go home to be with Him forever. Now that is news worth sharing and living out daily!

So as you go throughout your day and all the days to come, remember the victory Jesus won for us-- a victory we don't deserve, but one for which we can be eternally grateful.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (NKJV)

(Note: The photo is of my beautiful mother during one of our family vacations in Oregon!)