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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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Why is Good Friday 'Good'?by Graham Pulham, Barnes Baptist ChurchImagine you were heavily in debt and that there was no way you could ever pay what you owed. Shame, bankruptcy, perhaps even prison are all you can look forward to. And then one day a kind stranger offers you a cheque that would not only clear all your debts but also cover you for all future costs as well. There's no catch - it's simply an act of compassion, of love. Would you accept his offer? Wouldn't you consider that 'good' of him? That's a simple illustration of what Jesus did for us on Good Friday. He took our debt of sin upon Himself and paid it in full. 'Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death' writes Paul. But when we accept what Jesus has done for us God transfers our pension into a new pension scheme - His own! 'But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus our Lord' (Romans 6:23). Remember, Good Friday is only 'Good' because of Easter Day. It is because 'God has raised this Jesus to life' (Acts 3:32) that we know Jesus' payment of His own life in exchange for ours was accepted. Take away Good Friday and Easter Day is nothing. Take away Easter Day and Good Friday becomes only 'Sad Friday'. It's like taking one of the supporting piers away from under Hammersmith Bridge. The whole structure falls down and there's no way across. In the past some Christians called Good Friday 'God Friday'. Some still call it 'Great Friday'. Which of the three do you prefer? Why? |
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