Wednesday, April 1, 2015

April 2, 2015

"And we know that in all these things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Jesus was arrested, mocked, slapped around, spat upon, crowned with thorns, cursed, falsely accused, savagely scourged, unjustly sentenced to be crucified, forced to carry His cross through town and up to Golgotha where He was stripped naked and nailed to a cross. As He hung on the cross they continued to mock and curse Him. And they call that "Good Friday"? Are you kidding me?

Knowing all you know about that fateful day, have you ever wondered why they call it "Good Friday"?

To understand why they call it Good Friday you need to grasp the significance of our text verse.

Jesus had a Father Who is bigger than bad things. When in His sovereign power He allows something bad to happen it is for the purpose of accomplishing His perfect will. In His wisdom He permits short-term pain for eternal gain.

By one tragic, unjust and horrendous crucifixion the power of sin was broken. In God's economy one temporary death in order to gain eternity for countless souls is a good thing! In God's plan, humbling Himself to death in order to demonstrate His power over sin is a good thing! 

Who doesn't love a freshly baked chocolate cake? But to get a good cake you must mix in all the ingredients and bake it in the hot oven. If you taste any of the ingredients individually or if you stick your hand in the oven it would not be good!

So, cake is real good but the process of mixing and baking isn't! In the same way, God's plans and His process for developing you may involve some not so good things that will work out for your long-term good if you remain committed to Him and His purpose.

Jesus' very bad Friday became a Good Friday for you because His Father, your God, is bigger and better than any bad that will ever come your way! The same God Who permitted Friday to happen also caused Sunday to happen! So, for every cross you suffer there will be a resurrection to celebrate!

That is good!