Yesterday was Good Friday, it was a day when Christians specifically remember and reflect on Jesus’s crucifixion and His death. Throughout Jesus’ life, He knew His purpose on earth and He walked through His journey on earth with love, humility, faith and many more; yet it was also full of frustrations, angers and sorrows. We will all agree that Good Friday was not good for Jesus at all, that day is described as “the worst kind of hate, yet the best kind of love”, that day was nothing but good, yet Jesus knew it was the best for us. He faithfully walked his earthly journey to the cross, solely to free us from being the slaves of sin.
Today, as Christians, we know that the cross was not the end. Good Friday is good because of Resurrection Sunday. However, for Jesus’ disciples and followers, they gave up everything to follow Jesus – places that they lived, people that they love, careers that they dreamt of, relationships that they treasured. They put their faith and their hope in Jesus. When Jesus was arrested, “…the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:56); Peter disowned Jesus (Matthew 16:69-75), as they were lost, there seemed to be nowhere to put their faith and their hope anymore. However, after Jesus breathed His last, “ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47), he was still able to praise God.
Jesus was far and silent, but on the third day, He was risen and fulfilled His promise. “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). Through Jesus, not only we can live but we can live in full because of salvation. The salvation that was promised by God, and was bought for us unconditionally – yet with a heavy price. We are all sinners, yet God loves us. It was His plan to save us from sin, so that we can reunite with God through Jesus (John 3:16).
The resurrection of Jesus enables those who are lost and scattered to return to God through faith. God sealed us with a seal, so that we know our sins are forgiven and sealed by the Holy Spirit, this is the assurance of salvation. Through Jesus’ resurrection, it also gives us hope. Hope to know that God has overcome death – we can have peace (John 16:33); hope to know that we are being renewed daily by the Holy Spirit – we can have faith that God is with us and guide us (2 Corinthians 4:16); hope to know that Jesus will return and we will live with Him in eternity (Revelation 21:3).
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4
In this interim day, the day in between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let us reflect upon the following:
- Are you going through a period of your life when Jesus seems far and silent? Resurrection Sunday would not happen without Good Friday, may this reflection be an encouragement of yours to know that even in times of feeling lost, hopeless and faithless, God is with you, and He is faithful and He never fails – He will give you the strength, hope and faith to come out from the other side. Through this period to further experience God, and understand His faithfulness.
- Are we living the full life that God has given us? – Perhaps this is a chance for us to re-committee our lives to God, confess our sins, ask for forgiveness and let God be the God of our everyday lives.
