3 Days: A Series - Day 1

Betrayal. Trials. Judgement. Crucifixion. 

Good Friday.

Just five days earlier Jesus entered Jerusalem like a king. Now He was dying like a criminal. He’s beaten and tortured and led through the city streets until He is outside the gate. Humiliation is the goal. A death reserved for the worst of the worst is what our Savior received. 

His cross positioned on the busiest road leading into and out of the city so that everyone can witness this warning. Don’t cross Rome. They will be sure to take care of you if you do... even if you don't.

The Gospel of John records the treatment of Jesus. He’s mocked and laughed at. He is tormented by men who have no idea who this Man is, but He knows them. His face is used as a punching bag. Blood is pouring from wounds all over His body. He’s dying slowly and painfully. 

His friends have scattered. Only John remains to watch his friend and Rabbi take His last breaths. 

Good Friday. 

Meanwhile, the Jewish people are gathering together at the temple. It's Passover. It is a time to celebrate the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The miraculous event where God spared the lives of His people as the angel of death passed through Egypt and stuck down every first born male of the Egyptians. This is what would turn Pharaoh's heart to let them go.

On this day, this Friday, the priests are sacrificing the Passover lambs. The sacrifice that was set up as a reminder that the people of Israel had to kill a lamb and spread the blood on their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their houses, leaving everyone inside unharmed. That lamb, that blood, signified the protection of God. The provision of God. The salvation of God. The favor of God. That lamb was killed so that no one else in the family would be.

Good Friday.

Jesus is outside the gates. He is suffering. Struggling to breathe. Dying. Drops of His blood are hitting the road like bricks.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, has had His blood spilled. He hangs His head and breathes a final breath. He is dead. But not for long. It's only

Good Friday.

We cannot miss the significance. We cannot miss that this Friday, the day Jesus dies, Passover lambs are being sacrificed. Nothing with God is coincidental. God misses nothing. God is in the details. He does everything with purpose.

He knew what He was doing when He instituted Passover. He knew the timing. And He knew that His Son would shed His blood on that very day. He did this to show that Jesus was truly the fulfillment of the Law. That He was the ultimate Passover Lamb. That His blood was always meant to be the redemption, the salvation, the provision of the Lord for all people.

Jesus says that He stands at the door and knocks. He stands at the door of our hearts. He waits for us to respond. But I want to pose this question: Has the blood of Jesus been spread on the door of your heart?

Death is coming for us all, but will the finality of it come for you, or will it pass over? Will you go on to eternity? Have you been liberated from your own captivity?

God sent His Son to die on the day the Passover lambs were being sacrificed to remind us that salvation was always in His plan. His purpose for Jesus was that He would die so that the rest of the family would live. He wants that for me and He wants that for you.

I am so grateful for the cross. I am so thankful for the blood that was shed on the cross for me. I praise God that He spilled that blood so that mine wouldn't be. Even though I am the one that deserved it. Yet, He spilled the blood for my sins. He was persecuted for my transgressions. He was beaten so that I could receive healing. He was broken so that I could be made whole.

It is beyond words how thankful I am that His blood has been spread on the doorpost of my heart.

But that's not all. There is so much more to the story. There is more coming. The third day is ready to rise. God is not done. Remember it is only

Good Friday.