Today is Good Friday. It is the day which we stop and reflect on everything that our LORD did for us. It is the day we are reminded that everything we have is a gift, and that although we sold ourselves into slavery, our Father came and set us free, paying the ultimate sacrifice. We are reminded of what forgiveness means. We are shown what love, true love, looks like.
On this day, about 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth gave himself up, to be brutally humiliated, tortured, and killed. To anyone who is perfect, this was a waste, but to those of us who are desperate for a savior; those of us who have sold ourselves into sin, have realized we are inadequate, and long deep in are souls for there to be more to life than what we are living, for us He came to set things right and make all things new.
He taught that if someone strikes us on one cheek, we should turn our other cheek to them. When a band of soldiers came to arrest him, one of his followers tried to fight back, and cut off the ear of a soldier. Jesus healed his ear.
He taught that we should love our enemies. He taught that we should forgive those who harm us. As He died, nailed up on some wood as a public spectacle, He prayed for the Father to forgive the ones who killed Him.
He taught that we should not return evil for evil, but that we should overcome evil with good. He overcame.
LORD, I apologize for my pride. I apologize for each time I think I can do anything apart from You, each time I put my trust in anyone or anything other than You. I realize that it was I who belonged on that cross, and not You. I realize that each time I speak evil of my neighbor, each time I fail to forgive, each time I lie or lust, it is I who am whipping You, spitting on You, denying you, and driving the nails into Your hands. Soften my heart LORD. Help me to see You in each person around me. I will not forget that whatever I do for the least of them I do for You, and whatever I fail to do for them I fail to do for You.
LORD, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
