Good Friday

 

Good Friday

This is a day to truly reflect on the goodness of God toward mankind. Perhaps that is why it is Good Friday and not bad Friday? Scripture tells us that because God rescued His Jewish people and they were His, He had a confidence that they wouldn’t betray Him (Isaiah 63:7-8). But time and again God was betrayed, and loyalty was dismissed by those He cared for - through many many years.

The Psalmist describes the reward for loyalty in Psalm 85:9-11 (AMP).

“You (God) are ready to rescue everyone who worships you, so that you will live with us in all your glory. Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite. Loyalty will sprout from the ground; justice will look down from the sky above.”

And here we are at Good Friday, when Jesus – over 2,000 years ago – paid our sin’s debt with His life on the cross. God’s love and loyalty to His created beings came together and He rescued us from the power of sin and death! It sprouted from the ground on a cross where Jesus hung. Sacrificing His life – for three days - that we might receive the goodness of God through salvation as determined with Jesus sacrificial blood and life. God’s goodness and Christ’s kindness deserve our loyalty and love from that day throughout eternity as we look on His glory.

[To review Jesus’ crucifixion and see how the heart of God most certainly suffered as His son went through one injustice after another and died cruelly, read Matthew 27. It is the reality of what Jesus did so that we can be rescued and share in the goodness, loyalty, and love of God.]

by Joy Pedersen

Immanuel

 

Immanuel

 

Many years before Jesus birth, God promised a sign to reveal the fact that He would be making a personal appearance. At that time prophets and priests were the only ones who communicated directly with God. Isaiah was one of those prophets and he received the news that Immanuel was coming and there would be a sign to announce His coming – and let’s just say it  was unexpected!  Isaiah 7:14(AMP) tells us: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).” The ancients must have been puzzled at the sign recalling previous signs given by God. Hope and fear must have been stirred at the thought of God being with them.

When I ponder the truth of God with us, I know that it was not just for the time of his life on earth. Rather His name is eternal, Immanuel, forever. His presence is ever with us. The Holy One in the triune person of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For me, reflecting on His being with us at all times and in all ways brings comfort, peace, and joy knowing His love and care are close at hand. May this bring clear hope as you consider Immanuel, God with us.

By: Joy Pedersen

Matthew 1:23(AMP) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”