So, today as we wait in silence anticipating tomorrow’s journey to a tomb that we know is
empty and we gather with other believers and erupt into a time of great celebration for the life
that we now enjoy, remember that it is possible only because when he gave up his spirit, “It
was finished!” Nothing else in the way of payment for sin was necessary ever! “But when Christ
had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting
from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single
offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:12-14).

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The cross bears witness to His Person and His purpose. As we go about our day contemplate
the wonder of the Son of God giving his life for you by dying on the cross. It is a Good Friday to
remember, celebrate and be thankful for the death of Jesus, the Son of God! His death brought
us forgiveness of sin and eternal life. If you are reading this and have not yet trusted Christ,
consider trusting in Him today and let this Friday become a Good Friday for you!

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You probably remember that the first part of our focal text was referred to in the final point of yesterday’s devotion. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.” We referenced this text in an effort to answer two important questions: What was nailed to the cross? And, who was nailed to the cross? This text answered both. Our sins were nailed to the cross. And, Christ was nailed to the cross. We saw how foundational these two things are to our salvation. Today’s larger text resounds that message.

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Do you see how foundational the death of Christ on the cross is to our salvation? Do you see why His love for us drove Him to the cross? Do you see why He never abandoned His mission? If there had been no cross there would have been no hope of life. The final word would have been DEATH. But because of the cross the final word can be LIFE. And, the final word is LIFE for those who trust in Christ Jesus.

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For any person who has given attention to the study of scripture especially the New Testament and most especially with interest in Christology, it would be hard to recall a more familiar text. This is often a “go to” text for those leading in corporate worship. And why wouldn’t it be? Just listen to the characterization of the very nature of Christ. “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

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The focal point of our devotions this week will be the cross of Christ. We know that we are already looking ahead to Friday and the remembrance of the crucifixion of Christ. Then Saturday our minds will be wondering and considering the darkness of a tomb where the body of our Savior lay anticipating the resurrection and our celebration of His resurrection. We will be thinking about how a lost world lay in darkness waiting for the Light of life to burst forth and declare by His glorious presence that hope was certain! But the gospels and many other texts in the New Testament call our attention to the cross.

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