April 10, 2020

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(KJV)

It’s Good Friday today, and I was thinking about this day and what all this day means to people. I was raised a Baptist and was not taught to celebrate Good Friday. When I was growing up it was just another day that we got out of school. We just left it to the Catholics. I really didn’t even know anything about Lent until I married my husband. His family are mostly Catholic, but no one I knew growing up ever talked about Lent.

I think though that reflecting on the cross and the road Jesus took to get there can be good for all of us as Christians, no matter whether we observe Lent or recognize Good Friday.

Taking the time to just pause and think on the cross and what Christ did for us can be so powerful. If we are going to celebrate Easter and the Resurrection, getting it into perspective of each of those steps that takes us to an empty tomb should be important to us. It puts me in awe when I think about the sacrifice that Christ made for me on the cross.

When I was in like 10th grade, I remember we were in this little church in Ohio and there was this preacher’s fellowship going on in our church. There was one of the sessions opened up for the wives and families, and that little church was packed. I remember my father was sitting up front near the front and from where I sat I could see him clearly.

Anyway, this couple had come to sing, and they were singing “When I survey the Wondrous Cross” . I remember the lady choking up a little. I can remember them starting over a few times and the lady kept apologizing and stopped to say that the reality of the song made her cry. That got a few others teared up as well. And I remember my father, who really never cried in public, choking up and just beginning to silently sob as they began singing and continuing with the song. I remember watching his face with the tears streaming down his cheeks.

My father passed away over 15 years ago now, and every time I hear that song I can’t even sing a few lines of it without getting choked up about it. It makes me sob because I can see my fathers face, and I as I look at the words to that song I can see why it made him cry. That song makes me feel so raw.

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o’er His body on the tree; Then am I dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

I added in the fourth verse above, even though most hymnals don’t contain it. I like seeing things as they were originally written.

The phrase that gets me now that I’m older though, is that line that says,

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

I think of what a different world it is now since this song was written. Isaac Watts published it first back in 1707. Think about how much our world has changed since then. Think of all the “vain things” that can charm us. Think of just what we have in the way of materialism and entertainment in today’s world. There are so many vain things to tempt us. And so many times we give those “vain things” the power to “charm” us.

It behooves us to look at the cross and the road Jesus took to it. It helps put things into perspective. Like the last line of this hymn says, the love of Christ on the cross should demand “my soul, my life, my all”.

Here are some passages of Scripture to reflect on this Good Friday.

• Matthew 27:27-44
• Mark 15:16-32
• Luke 23:26-43
• John 19:16-27

I’m so excited to celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord. The empty tomb is miraculous, but I still want to go on that journey and see the road that Jesus walked to the cross. I think that is important too and helps us realize how much we should be sacrificing our own wills and desires. That road helps me see the Resurrection more clearly.

My hope for you today is that you will slow down on this Good Friday and not worry with other cares on this one day, Just take the time to reflect on the cross and the road Jesus took to Calvary and realize why we anticipate Easter.

So, when's the last time you have taken the time to reflect on the Road to Calvary?

Copyright ©2020 Julia Bettencourt

See an Easter Devotion here.

Go to the Julia's Devotions.

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