Jesus puts the Good into Good Friday- we should dwell there awhile?

Isaiah writing 8 centuries before Good Friday writes, ' Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed, we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us have turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53- 3-6

 Philip Bliss writes Guilty, vile and helpless we, Spotless Lamb of God was He; Full redemption- can it be? Hallelujah what a Saviour. 

It's Friday- the worst of all days- man's long war against God, culminating in man putting to death God, Jesus who will judge the nations in righteousness enduring a kangaroo trial , Justice unravelling at the condemnation of the Just one. The very one of whom the whole cosmos cries Innocent and the only one of our kind who has ever lived a life without sin, condemned as the worst of sinners. Though He is Innocent yet He is condemned as a criminal,   It's Friday- The sheep have scattered the Shepherd is all alone- no more crowds crying out and waving branches for Him. He comes to bring reconciliation at that moment is the loneliest man on the planet. He sweated drops of blood at the very thought at this dreadful moment. The darling of heaven adored by all myriads and myriads of heavenly ones delighting in Him since their creation now facing the wrath of God alone. How right are the words penned by Stuart Townend, The Father turns His face away as wounds which mar the chosen one- bring many sons to glory. The true Son, the beloved of the Father is abandoned as He who is without sin becomes sin for us. Though He is the LORD of Life, yet dies the death of deaths. God of very God but baring the wrath of God.

Yet it is the best of times because His cry "it is finished" is a victor's cry. The curtain is torn in two as the price is paid for us sinners to have a relationship with God. The holy one bows His head and dies- He who is eternal, dies the death that we should have died, facing the punishment for sin. He is forsaken so that we can be forgiven.  Treated as a sinner so we can become a son. 

It's Friday let's dwell on it for the day.

Shalom 

Stephen <><