Statements, Questions, & Declarations (Good Friday)

Good Friday.
Good Friday?
Good Friday!
Punctuation makes all the difference doesn't it? Good Friday can be a statement, a question, and/or a declaration. From what I understand of the Gospels, and church history, it is all of the above. The interesting thing about Good Friday is that it hinges upon what happened on the following Sunday. Sunday changed everything. What could have been seen as just another martyr dying for a religious cause, another rebel dying because of a failed insurrection, or another fool dying for an unworthy cause; Jesus' death left a mark on all of humanity.

While the death of Jesus adequately demonstrated the love of God for humanity, it also demonstrated man's complete ignorance and utter blindness towards the Father. Who could have ever conceived that our betrayal would lead to our deliverance? That our misplaced anger would shed light upon the Father's goodness? That the worst of humanity would showcase the beauty of our God? Little did we know that Jesus' death would be wrapped up in the predetermined purpose of God. That all of our misunderstanding, our fear, our shame, and our sin was wrapped up in the Father's plan. That Jesus would absorb every last drop and carry it with Him to the tomb. This is the "hidden wisdom" to our glory.

The Statements
What does the crucifixion of Jesus really say?
It says that Jesus was right. Men truly loved the darkness rather than the Light.
It says that the Father was unmoved by our ignorance. That His love would endure.
It says that religion can bring out the worst in us.
It says that, more often than not, we have no clue to what the Father is doing.
It says that God's purposes are greater than our plans.

The Questions
What does the crucifixion of Jesus bring into question?
It brings into question our understanding of G-O-D.
It brings into question our understanding of the Scriptures.
It brings into question our understanding of ourselves.
It brings into question our religious practices (ALL OF THEM).
It brings into question our sense of justice, mercy, grace, and vengeance.

The Declarations
What does the crucifixion of Jesus declare?
It declares that we are loved!
It declares that "IT IS FINISHED!"
It declares that humanity will never be the same!
It declares that history was forever changed!
It declares that God is Good!

Of course, the death of Jesus makes more statements, creates more questions, and offers many more declarations than what I have listed. But the reality is that we struggle with just these few. Here we are 2,000 years later still wrestling with the implications. Still arguing over theology. Still missing out on the abundant life that was provided. Jesus' death marked the end of Adam's race as we knew it. His resurrection would signal a rebirth - a new creation - a humanity where He was known as the firstborn among many brethren. Oh, the mystery of the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul penned these words: "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for IF they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." They missed it! No one saw this coming. No one imagined the reward of the suffering servant of Isaiah. No one could see past the tip of their religious noses. No one understood the implications of this one day in history. "He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us..." Did anybody see that coming? "...that we might become the righteousness of God." How could we? This sounds nothing like the God who needed appeasement. This sounds nothing like the God of wrath, judgment, and utter displeasure that we had grown accustomed to. This is not the God who cannot wait to condemn the masses. This sounds more and more like the Abba of Jesus:
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
"I did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life as a ransom."

Are you beginning to understand? Do you now see why I wrote yesterday that the main question for Paul was not "How can an individual be saved?" but that it was more about "How is this possible?"
How did the Father wrap up all of humanity in Jesus?
How were we included in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension?
What does all of this mean as we move forward?
Jew and Gentile, Slave and Free, Male and Female - all divisions are gone. All are one in Christ. Not by our faith but by His. Not by our trust in the Father's plan but by His trust. Humanity for a moment became pawns in the hands of the purpose of God. In their ignorance, they partnered with the Father. Once again we would find a Tree at the center of the story. Once again we would hear the words of a deceiver. Once again we would find ourselves on the wrong side of a decision. The difference? The fruit of the latter tree versus the fruit of the former. Where one tree led to death and destruction, another tree led to life and glory. Where the fruit of one tree plunged humanity into darkness, the fruit of another pulled us into the Light. Where the First Adam fell, the Last Adam triumphed. This is the beautiful Gospel!!!

Good Friday? Only when you consider the goodness of God.

May we never forget.