Good morning everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Live like it’s true”
Our Bible verse for today: “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “It was “good” for us”
Today is “good” Friday. It’s the day we remember that Jesus was crucified and died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He was arrested, falsely accused, convicted at a sham trial, brutally beaten, and then executed by the most cruel and barbaric method known in that day. So, what was “good” about that? We certainly cannot say it was good for Jesus.
But it was good for us. It was our great good fortune that Jesus would do that for us. If He had not, we would be lost in our sins and condemned to an eternity in hell. That Friday almost two thousand years ago on a hill called Calvary was not good for Jesus, but it sure was good for us.
When applied to our theme of living like our faith is real and true, the truth of Good Friday should directly impact how we live every day. What better news could there be than Jesus paid the penalty for our sins? Well, actually, there is even better news. Not only did Jesus die for us, but He also defeated death and arose from the grave for us. If Friday was good, Sunday was even better.
Putting the two together – the death and the resurrection – we as Christians have something to be eternally joyful about. And we have a mission to now live. It’s up to us, the followers of this crucified and then risen Savior, to spend our lives sharing this Good News about Him.
We will think more about that mission tomorrow and that is how we will conclude our theme for this month, “Live like it’s true.” But for today, I encourage you to explain to everyone you encounter why it is that “good” Friday really is good.
God bless,
Pastor Jim
(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville
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