“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:5-6)

The tomb was open and empty. Jesus was gone. Something happened. The authorities’ worst fears were soon to be realized as the Man who spoke of resurrection was said to have risen from the dead. To make matters even more complicated, earthquakes in the region timed “coincidentally” with the death of Christ shook open graves and the entire city was full of stories of encountering deceased people proclaiming the victory of Jesus.

Our entire world history rests on this one incident that redefined everything about Jesus, eternity, and God’s love for mankind. Hell itself soon discovered that the Son of God was rescuing limitless scores of people from eternal condemnation.

Decades later, Paul said it this way, “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT).

Friend, the “passion” of Christ to the point of obedience on the Cross was validated and verified by His resurrection. The Cross is not merely the unfortunate execution of an innocent man. When seen through the reality of the resurrection, the Cross is the ultimate and final triumph of Jesus over the enemy and his curse against mankind. Because Jesus conquered death, no strategy or accusation has any power over the Jesus follower. “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”

(Colossians 2:14,15 NLT)
He is risen...and because He is, you will be too!

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The stunning series of events of the previous seven days left Jesus followers in shock on the morning after the crucifixion. One moment, Jesus was barely able to get into Jerusalem through an adoring crowd; the next moment the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Today, we look back through the resurrection and see a victory won through the incredible sacrifice of the Savior. The friends of Jesus were left in tortuous grief and heavenly silence after the crucifixion. However, sometimes what you can’t see is much more significant than what you can.

The Bible declares that Jesus visited Sheol or Hades (not hell) and set free the righteous spirits awaiting the finishing work of the Savior (see today’s Scripture reading). Hell’s headlines, which alleged victory on Friday, were soon retracted as Jesus stepped into the spiritual realm and made it clear that even death had no hold on the Righteous One.

It’s when you can’t see things changing, or hear God’s voice, or even feel His conscious presence, that the greatest victories may be in the works. Never fear in the dark, what is accomplished in the light.

It may be Friday, and it might even be Saturday...but have no fear, Sunday is coming!

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Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”?

What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good; however, the results of Christ’s death are very good!

• Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

The crucifixion was a brutal form of execution initiated by the Romans to intimidate and humiliate the nations they occupied. Criminals were hung on crosses, which were then lined along highways leading into the cities (in this case Jerusalem). But as only Jesus could accomplish, this unbridled evil hostility was emptied of its power and replaced by the victory that Christ won through the Cross. In reality, what was intended to disgrace Jesus boomeranged on hell itself which was crushed by the victory of the Cross (Col 2:14-15).

The cross you wear as jewelry or other decorations symbolizes freedom and victory. If it were merely a reflection of an ancient form of capital punishment, then you might as well wear an electric chair. No, the beauty of the “Cross” is found in the triumph of the Savior.

“Good Friday” is our Independence Day. It is the day our freedom from oppression and the curse of the enemy was established! Only the Savior could accomplish such a victory.

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When Jesus was facing His most difficult hours, His concern was only for the people He loved. Prior to His late night arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus invited and prepared for a fabulous Passover meal with His disciples; and before that, He knelt before each of them and washed their feet. He spoke to His followers about the deep love He had for them, and encouraged them to love one another. He even was broken-hearted over Judas’ impending betrayal and ultimate demise. After supper in the upper room where He forever changed the meaning of “breaking bread,” He departed for the garden with a few of His closest friends and prayed fervently for the unity, strength, and future of all who would follow Him.

This deep passion for mankind ultimately led Him to the Cross where He suffered but also won complete freedom for all. He loves us despite what we did to Him. It is love that wins over hate. It is love that defeats selfishness. It is love that overpowers darkness. It is love for which Satan has no answer.

Friend, you too may be facing some difficult things. Jesus came to not only demonstrate how love wins, but to actually be with you as you face your own dark times. He is unlike any other.

Today, take a few minutes to celebrate communion. Get a piece of bread and some juice or wine, sit down, and reflect on the incredible love of the Savior.

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During the Passion Week, Jesus taught for hours inside the Temple. He was both confrontational (with the Temple leaders) and compassionate (with the crowds). His desire was to show average people what it meant to love God. When a teacher asked Him what was most important, He declared the words of Moses “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”(Deuteronomy6:5). And then He completed it with“...but love your neighbor as yourself...” (Leviticus 19:18).

The inquirer agreed—this is worth more than all the sacrifices made at the Temple. And Jesus complimented him.

“The next night Jesus would say the same thing to His closest disciples: ‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’” (John 13:34). For Jesus, how we love is as important as the faith we hold.

We often think that what God wants is complicated. It isn’t. God asks us for our undivided devotion, but He also asks for us to love richly those who are around us. This includes our families, our colleagues, our friends, and even our enemies (that’s the tough part). In Jesus’ mind, this must have been the hallmark of a faithful person.

How can you share the love of God with somebody today?

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Even the most “thrifty” of us become generous with those we love. Love implies generosity and giving. The popular Bible verse, John 3:16 says, “For God so loved...that He gave...”

Mary did a most extravagant action towards Jesus when she went into the family treasury and brought out a perfume valued at one year’s wages and poured it over Jesus. Scholars suggest that this particular fragrance was reserved only for royalty, and that the resulting aroma, which filled and spilled out of the residence, communicated to all that the King was in the house. The only person who seemed to struggle with such a lovely expression of appreciation for the Savior was Judas who complained that such a gift would have been better served to feed the poor. Nobody would argue with taking care of the impoverished, but not celebrating a King when He is in the house is not only rude, but also shortsighted and selfish. In Judas’ case as the treasurer of the group, he clearly had an eye toward the cash poten- tially generated from the sale of this precious perfume (John indicates that Judas was stealing from the group).

Jesus graciously accepted this incredible act of worship, which not only anticipated His Kingship but also His death and burial. It could be that this wonderful aroma provided comfort for Him as He faced the challenges of the upcoming days.

Have you been extravagant in your worship? What about in the giving of your time, talent and treasure?

How can you be extravagant today towards the King?

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Anger can easily get the best of us. We get mad on the freeway, mad while shopping, mad at fast food “slowness”...and our culture seems chronically on the verge of violence. Some people think God is angry with us. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is not mad at you, but He is mad about you!

The Bible does indicate that there is a “righteous anger” and that one can be “angry and not sin.” Jesus, the day after His celebrated arrival in Jerusalem, went to the Temple grounds and was stunned to once again see this holy space surrendered to commerce and exploitation. Vendors were selling sacrifices at a premium, and in place of shouts of praise to God were the loud voices of vendors bargaining over miscellaneous trinkets...maybe even “Passover ’33 A.D.” T-shirts. When Jesus saw all this, in righteous anger, He cleared out the temple.

We learn in the New Testament that our bodies are the new “temple” of the Holy Spirit. God’s presence now resides within us, and not primarily at a location. So, the question is, are there certain things that you allow to have a spot in the temple of your body, or mind, emotions or will, that should be cleared out? Even things that start with good intentions can sometimes devolve into illicit focus or worship.

Do you worship your stuff more than the Giver?
Is a special relationship more important than your relationship with God?
Do you prioritize your time around your personal pursuits, or around seeking the Father?
Maybe it’s time for some “spring cleaning.”

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Jesus had traveled to Jerusalem on many occasions, but this time it was different. His three years of ministry had created a groundswell amongst the populace ready to proclaim Him king of the Jews. The buzz in Jerusalem (which was swollen with over a million Passover pilgrims) concerned the Roman occupiers and threatened to rob the Jewish religious establishment of their annual moment of glory. Nevertheless, as Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives on a colt, throngs of people crowded the path celebrating Him shouting, “Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest” (Hosanna means “save” or “savior”).

While the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem did fulfill Old Testament prophecy, His intentions were not what the people anticipated. The crowd expected to be delivered from the Roman oppressors. They failed to hear Jesus when He said repeatedly that His calling was spiritual, not political.

Misunderstandings about Jesus, His life, and work continue to this day nearly 2,000 years later. But for those who open their hearts and souls, the Savior has indeed brought forth freedom and invited all into His Kingdom. Our challenge then, is to see Jesus not through the filter of our own expectations, but as the Word of God reveals Him.

He is our Lord and Savior, Champion and Defender, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Now would be a good time to lift up some praise to the Lord.

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