Good Friday is Coming—All Praise to Jesus!

~By Sharon Czerwien

For part of my Bible college days, I would rotate with a few other volunteers to spend time at our local juvenile detention center. The other volunteers from my church would do the Bible lesson, and I would do the “ice breaker” activities.

The times spent at this juvenile detention were always humbling AND a true joy! The children were happy to attend an event, and I was thrilled that they would hear the Gospel during the Bible lessons.

Here’s the main gist of why I mention these past events in this present blog post for Good Friday.

One of my favorite things that another volunteer often told the children was how to “find” a good church when they were out of juvenile detention. (We were not allowed to say from what church we came…)

Here was the best advice that this volunteer would tell the children regarding church (and I paraphrase):

“When looking for a church, find out what they say about Jesus.”

GOLDEN ADVICE! The volunteer would then specify what that entailed.

Let’s take a few moments to appreciate the important facts about Jesus for Good Friday.

Facts about Jesus

1. Jesus is God.

In 2 Peter 1:1, the Apostle Peter says, “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In John 20:28b, Thomas is talking to Jesus and proclaims, “My Lord and my God!”

2. Jesus left heaven to take on human flesh.

In Philippians 2:5-8, we see Jesus’ humility when the Bible says, “But made Himself (Jesus) of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

Luke 2 tells the wonderful birth story of Jesus.

3. Jesus came to earth to be the Savior of the world!

1 John 4:14 tells us that, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.

Romans 5:8 encourages us that, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

4. Through Jesus, we can have peace with God.

Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore, having been justified, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Justified means declared righteous in God’s eyes.)

Romans 5:9 reads, “Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Jesus).”

Colossians 1:14 says, “In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

How to be Declared Right in God’s Eyes???

I have this information in blue font to help it stand out.

A: Admit you are a sinner.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

(Romans 3:23)

A sin is  something somebody does that goes against what the Bible teaches.

Examples include lying, disobeying, unkindness, unfaithfulness,

etc. Everyone is guilty of sin. This sin separates humans from God.

B: Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin.

(He rose from the dead, too, because He is God.)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while

we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

And the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid;

for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been

crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He

said... (Matthew 28:5-6a)

He died on a cross as the payment for your sin. Without the

sacrifice of Jesus, you would be stuck in your sin with no hope for

forgiveness.

C: Call to God (in prayer) to save you from your sin.

For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be

saved (Romans 10:13).

There is nothing you can do to earn salvation. The Bible teaches

salvation is by faith and not through any good works (Ephesians

2:8-9).

Here is a refreshing thing! You do not have to worry if you are

good enough for God. God just wants you to have faith in Him. He

is the way to salvation.

Here is an example prayer to become a child of God:

God, I know I am a sinner and do bad things. I believe

that Jesus died as the payment for my sin. I accept this

as the only way I can be saved. Please come into my life

and save me.

Amen

With your faith placed in Jesus, you are now a child of God.

For those of us who are already children of God, we can be THANKFUL—like SUPER thankful for God’s grace—especially surrounding Good Friday!

Ephesians 1 is a great chapter that celebrates the work of the Trinity in salvation. Part of verse 3 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…”

Ephesians 2:4 tells us God is rich in mercy!

The end of Colossians 3:17 commands that whatever we do, we can give thanks to God.

Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to be in the habit of praising God.

For this coming Good Friday, let’s be especially careful to consider Who Jesus is and what He has done on our behalf.

~Praise to Jesus,

Sharon