This morning Nancy and I experienced some very happy & sad moments. At 3 a.m. I was up so stepped outside to the full moon still in all it's glory with the big dipper pointing the way north. Later we awoke to a bright sunny day here in Gig Harbor. Not many like that in this part of the country with the coastal fronts often visiting us with clouds and rain. But today birds were singing as the sun streamed through the forest lighting the tree tops like massive table lamps.
Then we remembered it was Good Friday, the day Christ died on the cross. Our morning Bible reading recalled what a sad day that was as Jesus hung on the cross for us sinners. There he was with his wounds while being nailed to a thief's dirty cross on a hill for all to see. Soon he was gasping for air as death was creeping up. I was reminded of Corona-virus-19 patients describing their panic like trying to breath under water. It is hard to watch a person die at this point. I have watched a few. But with Christ it was far worse as He bore our sin while hanging on that grizzly blood stained cross.
Today we also remember Christ bore the sin of all who who recognize it and turn to Him in repentance. To them the free gift of salvation, eternal life, and the blessing of truly glorifying Him forever are theirs. That is infinitely better than the other option.
I love this painting done by a friend Hele Heras for one of our church art shows. This man, Sarah Hodo's father, caught the emotion of what the blood stained cross might have been like.
See my post yesterday, GOOD OR BAD FRIDAY, for detail on us being one of the criminals on the side crosses.
Pastor Mark Suko