Tomorrow is Good Friday, the day we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. We’ve talked a lot in recent days about surrendering everything to Jesus and truly making Him the Lord of our lives. Everything we do should be to glorify Him because of what He did for us. In thinking about this post, the old hymn, “Lead Me to Calvary”, kept repeating in my head. As we prepare our hearts for solemn remembrance tomorrow, it seemed good to reflect on the words of this powerful song.
King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary
May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
We can never repay or comprehend the pain and humiliation He submitted Himself to on our behalf. The very Son of God, Your Creator, was mocked and jeered. Thorns were shoved into his skull causing intense pain. Real blood dripped down His cheeks. He was spit on. He was punched, beaten, and tortured. His very flesh was torn from His body. Would we submit ourselves to similar treatment for His name? Would we really follow Him to the cross?
After all this, He picked up a heavy wooden cross and dragged it to the place where He knew He would be killed. At any moment He could have called the whole thing off. He could have destroyed those intent on harming Him. Yet Jesus remained silent and resolutely walked towards the hill of His execution. If this was not enough, Roman soldiers drove nails through His hands and feet to hold Him to the cross as He slowly suffocated to death. There was no pain medication to ease the agony of the numerous stinging wounds with which He had been inflicted. Jesus didn’t complain. He did not waver. He simply did what He had come to do. With perseverance that goes beyond all comprehension, He completed His mission. Jesus willingly gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could live. He took on the sin of the world and then shed His blood over it so we might be redeemed.
This is what we remember tomorrow. This is our King, our Savior, and our Lord. He died for me and He died for you. He sacrificed His authority, His power, and ultimately His life so we might find life in God. Without the death of Jesus we are hopeless and lost. It is only because of His death that we have any hope of the future. If not for the sacrifice of Jesus, the wrath of God would be on us all. This is the One we serve. This is why everything we do must now bring glory to the One who surrendered it all on our behalf. Now it is up to us to give our lives for His glory and His mission. Never forget what Christ did for you. Do not take it lightly or let the day pass without reflection. He is our God, and He is our King. Worship Him.