A Prayer for Good Friday

A Prayer for Good Friday

     And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46) “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

     

Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the day in Holy Week we call “Good Friday.” I’ve always felt conflicted about calling the day of your crucifixion “good.” That therehad to be a day when you—the God who made us for yourself, would be made sin for us, is not good at all. But on the other hand, that you would freely and fully give yourself for us on the cross, is never-to-be surpassed goodness—quintessential goodness. 

     Oh, the wonder of it all. From the cross, and from your heart, came these two cries. “Father forgive them” (Luke 23:34) and “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). The first required the second. The second secured the first. Together, they humble our hearts and fuel our worship. 

     And then, there’s the third cry. “It is finished.”Nothing is left undone, concerning our salvation. Once and for all—perfectly and fully, we have been reconciled to God. You became sin for us, than in you, we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). Hallelujah, many times over. 

     Lord Jesus, how can we even begin to express the gratitude, love, and praise we feel in response to what you’ve done for us on the cross? Every response we offer is woefully insufficient to the magnificence of your mercy and the measure of your grace lavished on us in the gospel. 

     So like everything else we offer you, Jesus, take our humble praise and purify it, magnify it, and cause it to be a sweet aroma in your heart. No one could have ever taken your life from you, and we would have never found life on our own. 

     Because you were fully forsaken, we are forever forgiven. Because you exhausted God’s judgment against our foul sin, we now live by the gift of your perfect righteousness. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! So very Amen we pray, in your all-glorious, all-grace-full name.

-Scotty Smith- 

On this Good Friday I've been reflecting on these words "Nothing in my hand I bring simply to the cross I cling"  from the song Rock of Ages. Thankful for the cross.  Thankful that because Jesus was forsaken on the cross I am forever forgiven.  What a gracious, merciful, loving God I serve.