-
Read Romans 5:6–15
-
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Today is Good Friday. Because of the events of this day so long ago, we adorn our churches, our necks, and our walls with crosses so that we remember. Jesus’ cross is central to everything we believe.
When I was a kid, my home church was adorned in black on Good Friday. There was black on the altar, and black over the cross, and the pastor’s vestments were black. I have to admit, I always thought that all the black was not quite the right expression. After all, Good Friday is not a funeral for Christ Jesus. It’s a solemn day, yes, but not a funeral. The events of Good Friday were central to God’s good and gracious plan. Out of God’s tremendous love for us he sent his one and only Son to willingly die in our place and for our benefit. God entered our broken world and died for sinners like me.
In high lofty theological language, we use the term “vicarious atonement.” This simply means that I should have been the one on the cross, but God demonstrated love by sending Jesus to take my place. This is the “great exchange” of Good Friday. Jesus takes my sin and guilt and replaces it with his forgiveness. It is s a solemn day, but it is a solemn celebration. Because when Christ went to the cross, he did it for me. He did it for you. That is why they call this Friday “Good.”
Prayer
Jesus, out of love, you died for me. No words can ever come close to expressing how thankful I am. Amen.