Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we gather to reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ, who was crucified for our sins. It is a solemn and somber occasion, but it is also a time of deep gratitude and reverence for what our Lord has done for us.
The story of Christ's suffering is one that is familiar to us all. We know that he was betrayed by one of his own disciples who was possessed by satan, denied by another, and abandoned by the rest. He was mocked, beaten, and flogged, and then forced to carry his own cross to the place where he was to be crucified. There, he was nailed to the cross, and left to die a slow and agonizing death.
(show video of exactly from a medical perspective, what Christ endured)
As we reflect on the suffering of Christ, we must also remember that he did not suffer alone. He suffered for us, for our sins, and for the sins of the whole world. He suffered so that we might have eternal life, and so that we might be reconciled to God.
Let us turn to the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, and read verses 3-6. This passage speaks directly to the suffering of Christ, and the purpose behind it:
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
These verses remind us that Christ's suffering was not in vain. He took on our sins, our griefs, and our sorrows, and bore them on the cross. He was wounded and crushed for our transgressions, and it was through his suffering that we are able to find peace and healing.
But why did Christ have to suffer in the first place? Why did he have to die on the cross? The answer is found in the book of Romans, chapter 6, verse 23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Sin is what separates us from God, and the punishment for sin is death. But Christ, who was without sin, took on our sin and paid the penalty for us. He died so that we might live. He suffered so that we might be free.
As we reflect on the suffering of Christ, let us also remember that his suffering did not end on the cross. He descended into hell, and on the third day, he rose again. It is through his resurrection that we have hope and assurance of eternal life.
(others rose after Christ on that day)
According to the Bible, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there were also other bodily resurrections that took place. In Matthew 27:52-53, it says:
"The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many."
This passage suggests that some saints who had died were also resurrected after Jesus' resurrection, and appeared to many people in Jerusalem. However, the Bible does not provide any further details about these resurrections or the identities of the saints who were resurrected.
Let us now turn to the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 3-4. This passage speaks to the importance of Christ's resurrection:
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."
Christ's resurrection is not just a symbolic gesture, or a metaphorical statement. It is a historical fact, confirmed by the witnesses who saw him after he rose from the dead. It is through his resurrection that we have hope, and it is through his resurrection that we are saved.
As we come to the end of our Good Friday service, let us remember that the cross is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter of hope, redemption, and new life.
On Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The tomb is empty, and death has been defeated. Through his sacrifice on the cross, we have been reconciled to God and given the gift of eternal life.
Let us take some time this weekend to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, and to meditate on the hope and joy that his resurrection brings. May we remember that we are loved by a God who gave his only son for us, and that nothing can separate us from that love.
I invite you all to join us on Sunday as we celebrate the victory of our Lord over sin and death. Let us gather together to sing praises to his name and give thanks for the gift of salvation that we have received.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
