Good Friday

Good Friday

O agony and dying! O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn your face on me.

We stand at the foot of the Cross today and behold Jesus’s suffering and dying. For those who knew him in his earthly life, it must have been a shocking sight. As a builder, he had a strong body; as a teacher, he had a strong mind and heart. But here at the end we see his strength and vigor all fading in the strife, and death with cruel rigor, bereaving [him] of life.

We don’t just stand here as sad witnesses—we participate in this scene with the fickle and cruel crowd, with the fearful disciples, with his sorrow- ful mother, and most of all as recipients of this great gift. We, too, have our own crosses to bear, so we embrace them with the same resolute faith as Jesus did, knowing it is our only source of hope.

Prayer for Morning
Jesus, reluctantly, yet willingly, you entered the pain and death that sin inflicts. I stand here with you at the foot of the Cross; give me the courageous love to lay down my life with you and for you. Loving Savior, I will follow you to the Cross.

Ponder Today
What is the suffering in my life that I can unite to Jesus’s suffering on the
Cross?

Prayer for Evening
Jesus, you spent your life—right to the end—loving us with all of your strength. Let me draw on your love when I feel far from God or have distanced myself from you or others, for there’s nothing I can do to lessen your love for me. Loving Savior, bring me back to you.