The Good News about Good Friday
This past Sunday was what they call Palm Sunday.
It’s the day that, about 2000 years ago, Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
The crowd was singing Hosanna which literally means “God Saves, or Savior!”
But in the blink of an eye they would be shouting “Crucify Him!”
The crowd was laying down palm branches before him.
But they were about to be driving nails through his hands & his feet.
Jesus was entering Jerusalem like royalty.
But he was about to leave Jerusalem carrying a cross on his bloodied back like a common criminal.
Isenheim Altarpiece by Niclaus of Haguenau and Matthias Grünewald
When they nailed Him to that cross, everyone thought the story was over.
They thought Jesus was dead.
And, He was.
He died that Friday.
His disciples fled.
His enemies celebrated.
His friends wept.
But…
…on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave & that tomb is still empty to this day.
On that Sunday, Jesus proved there is life after death.
And Jesus would love nothing more than for you to die, to be buried in baptism & raised with him to new life.
Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Today is known as Good Friday. The day Jesus died. But Sunday…
Sunday is known as Easter. Sunday is known as Resurrection Sunday!
What if this Sunday you choose to die to your old self, be buried in baptism & then raised to new life with Jesus?
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2.20
What if this Sunday was your resurrection Sunday?
Then your life would point others to the only God who saves.
Then your life would point others to the incredible love of Jesus.
Then your life would be a testimony to the fact that there is Life after Death for those who believe in Jesus!
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3.16
For more information about being baptized at Riverside Church of Christ on Baptism Sunday, click here.
