As we look to this coming week, several people I’ve spoken with have significant events scheduled. 4 friends (2 couples) are going on their honeymoons and are looking forward to their first trip as husband and wife. Several friends in the workforce are dreading the week because most spring breaks are over, and now they will have to play “catch up” on work they missed. One friend is preparing to present a crucial client proposal. Another friend’s husband is going out of town for six days, and she will be home alone with their 4 kids under 5 years old. 3 friends have cancer radiation treatments each day. Each of these scenarios brings different sentiments and anticipation. For my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, this week held the worst and best of what God had and has in store for all of humanity.

This is Holy Week. The remembrance of the culmination of Jesus’s life on earth as a man. The week where He was first hailed as the man coming to save the Jewish nation, only to then be wrongly accused, punished, and executed. But this was God’s plan all along – that Jesus would pay for every sin, for every human, that had been or would be committed, in perpetuity, until the time of HIs return to earth. Jesus knew what this week entailed. But He was willing to go through it because He loves you and me THAT MUCH.

Jesus, the Christ. Christ means “the anointed one” or “chosen one”. It comes from the Greek word “Christos” which translates into the Hebrew word “Messiah”. Jesus is the One about whom the scriptures prophesied to the Jewish people and who they were waiting for to bring them salvation. Because many of the religious leaders couldn’t accept that the long-awaited Messiah was right in front of them, Jesus also offered salvation to people outside the Jewish race.

Jesus did not come to bring political salvation, but rather freedom from the bondage that sin holds over all humans. Despite the fact that the laws God gave to His people for living offer humans the best life possible, we rebel, or get lazy, and do not follow His laws. Anything we do that falls short of 100% adherence to God’s law, 100% of the time is sin.

Here is a brief narrative about sin and how it affects us, and how God rescues us:

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) No one is exempt.

Sin has to be paid for. “The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) We cannot pay for something when we do not have enough to cover the amount owed. Jesus is the ONLY One whose payment is ENOUGH to cover our sin. Jesus lived a sinless life, so He did not need payment for His own sin – therefore, He had the capital to pay for ours. He offered himself as a substitute for the punishment that we are due – torture and then death on a cross, but more than that – separation from God until the massive debt was paid and Jesus cried out “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30). Eternal separation from God is sin’s consequence – eternal death.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus knew that without His substitution, we, His beloved creations, could not spend eternity with Him. So He didn’t wait until we straightened up, He paid the penalty while we were in the midst of our depravity.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Just like any gift – He gives it, but we must accept His saving grace. We must call Him our Savior. How do we know this is enough? We are told by His Word: If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

All of this information about Christ’s death and our salvation covers Good Friday. The day Jesus broke captives past, present, and future, out of hell! This! This is why the dreadful remembrance is called GOOD Friday! This is the day we received the greatest gift known to man. If you haven’t already, reach out and take it!!

Do you need proof Jesus had the power to pay this debt? Wait ‘til next week! Friday is tough – BUT EASTER IS COMING!!!