Holy Week: Who is Jesus?

Today's post is a reflection on Good Friday. I had the privilege of teaching the Good Friday lesson to my class so I've been meditating on it this week. Miss LE led a great lifegroup lesson this week too, so I've really been looking at Good Friday with different eyes this week.

1. Jesus was SEPARATED. When I started teaching the salvation message to my class this year, I stressed that humanity is separated from God by sin. As I've studied Isaiah, I realize how holy God is. We cannot measure up to this holiness on our own. If we try, our works are like garbage to The Lord. We need Someone to bridge out separation between God and humanity. God sent Jesus to provide that bridge. What is mind blowing is that Jesus had to separate Himself from everyone, including His Father, to accomplish this. He first become separated from His followers through the arrest and trial. Then during the crucifixion He is separated from God. He has all of humanity's sin upon Him. The weight is so heavy, He uses the Psalms to express the separation: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus uses these words not as a question out of anguish, but as a sign that He is now separated from God. Wow. Jesus willing chose to be separated from everyone He love for us. What a sacrifice!
2. Jesus was WOUNDED. As I've been going through Captivating, I realize that I have wounds in my hearts. These wounds come from life. I've struggled in my healing to understand why God would have allowed these wounds in my life, especially wounds from other people or situations. God has been very clear that these wounds I have are not only to be healed but are going to be used for His glory and purpose through ministry to others. I confess I did have a moment of crying out to God and complaining out some wounds. But God has shown me very clearly that wounds are not bad. Yes they are painful, but He is the Healer and restorer. As I was studying this week, it hit me: Jesus was wounded as well. The cross gave Him wounds on His hands, feet, and side. The cross gave Him a wound for humanity as He suffered the weight of sin and death upon His soul. The physical wounds didn't go away in His resurrected body either. There were there as a testament to the fact that God used the wounds to produce the great glory of bringing humanity back to Himself. If God did not spare His own Son from being wounded, then who am I to complain about mine? Instead, I will turn to Him, and allow Him to heal me and trust the greater purpose He has for me.
3. Jesus showed GRACE. The crowds were filled with hate. The people beat and threw insults on Jesus. One of the thieves on the other crosses mocked Him. I don't know about you, but Jesus showed grace to all of the people in a way I could never imagine. Instead of calling down some kind of punishment, Jesus asked for them to be forgiven. That is the ultimate picture of grace. To show kindness when it is undeserved.
4. Jesus showed LOVE. "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame... "(Hebrews 12:2 NIV) Who was the joy set before Him? The joy was us. As He was suffering, He focused on His love for all of us. Think about it. In His greatest suffering, Jesus was thinking of you. You were the joy. He endured the separation, the wounds, the agony all while thinking of you. His love for you made it worth it to Him. Wow. I can truly say that Love trumps all other love on Earth. There is no other Love like Jesus can give you.

May this Good Friday be a day where you take time to reflect on what Jesus did. May it be a time you spend thanking and worshiping Him for His Ultimate Gift- life.