Good Friday?





Good Friday


     So today is Good Friday ?   Why call it Good Friday?  JESUS suffered the worst death imaginable on "Good Friday", in fact, here's a physician's view on what actually happened https://www1.cbn.com/medical-view-of-the-crucifixion-of-jesus-christ.     Yes, HE did die the worst death possible, in fact, that kind of death was reserved for the worst of the worst, murders, insurrectionists, rebels against Rome. They did this publicly to show everyone what would happen if they too decided to fight Rome!
     Prior to JESUS's death - there was no forgiveness of sins. There was atonement, but it had to be done by sacrificing an animal, a bull a goat or even a bird, as is shown in Leviticus 1:1-17. There was no going to GOD - only the priest could do that, and at that, only once a year, per Exodus 30:10.  In fact, there was a curtain in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where GOD , HIMSELF would dwell. When that curtain tore, the day JESUS died, it tore from top to bottom. That curtain was estimated to be 45 to 60 feet high and four inches thick, so it was not a thin flimsy piece of fabric.
     The Jews lived like that for centuries, atoning for their sins, not being able to go directly to GOD or be forgiven. They went or centuries without any kind of a personal relationship with GOD.
     When JESUS died, he changed that then , now and forever. Not just for the Jews, but for everyone. Before, the gospel was promised only to the Jews, but JESUS extended it out all over the world, and to everyone.  He fought for us, he took the scorn, the beatings, the whippings, the shame, the abuse even death, in our place, when we actually deserved it, and gave us life.
     The Bible goes out of the way to show us this starting in John 18:39, when the Jewish people told Pilate to release Barabbas, a known insurrectionist. The word used here is the Greek word "lestes" (Strong's Greek 3207) which literally means robber or thief, but this one stole out in the open and usually did this with violence, so he wasn't at all a nice guy, but he got to live and JESUS got to die.
     As a recovering alcoholic, I can, with no hesitation say I was like Barabbas. I should be dead now, just from alcoholism alone, but because of Good Friday, I was given life, through Christ. He took the obsession from me to drink the moment I picked up my first white chip in an A.A meeting full of tough old drunks (this particular meeting - my home group - was known to be the toughest group of guys in town! ).
     Because of Good Friday, I lived, not just I didn't drink , but I got to clear a lot of character defects away, I got to grow up and find out who I was without the alcohol. I got to loose jealousy and my temper. I got to really become who I am. I got to live better than I could imagine. It's just like JESUS said in John 10:10, where he said he came that we may live, and have it abundantly.
     Through HIM, because of Good Friday, I live!  So do you. You have the same thing I have because GOD paid the price for you as well. There's no one too dirty, too sinful, too evil, too anything. If you believe, just like JESUS said in John 3:16 you will have ever lasting life.   If you don't yet believe, but want to, why not take GOD up on his offer of everlasting  life.  If you're not sure you have it, feel free to email me and I'll be happy to speak to you. No one's going to ask you for money. This is a 2 man operation - GOD and I, and I do this in my free time! Feel free to email and I'll be happy to talk to you!

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