Everyone struggled on crucifixion Friday. The disciples struggled to keep faith. Pilate struggled to save face. Faithful women struggled to help Jesus. Pharisees struggled to discredit Jesus. Soldiers struggled to hurt Jesus.
But no one struggled more than Jesus.
People called Him a liar, beat Him with sticks and plastered his face with spit. They yanked chunks of flesh from his back with a hook-tipped whip, crucified Him naked in front of his family and friends. What few friends there were – when falsely accused, no one defended Him. When he stumbled beneath the weight of the cross, no one came to help Him. When hung up to die, no one rescued Him. How did Jesus endure such an ordeal?
Here is how Jesus turned a day of suffering into Good Friday: “for the joy that was set before Him, (Jesus) endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus faced his Friday by looking into eternity. By making heaven bigger, his pain became smaller. Jesus faced his Friday by looking in to eternity. From the cross to the crown.
Let us do likewise. As heaven grows, our struggled lessen. Let us face eternity with the same confidence that Jesus did (Romans 10:9-10). Remember God loves us all with a father’s love and wants all to be saved. IT is not enough to believe there is a god in heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew 7:21-27, and Luke 13:22-30 and James 2:19 are some very sobering scriptures that are well worth taking time to read them. Face eternity with a confidence based on the word of god.
If you do not have a home church to celebrate Easter this year, you are welcome to join us at New Beginnings Fellowship Church, 1301 Mill Road. Easter Sunday service on April 5 begins at 10:30 a.m.
– Mike and Helen Andrusco
