Good Friday (The Darkest Day In History)

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What Happened?
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2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth went through the most extreme pain and suffering. He suffered a sleepless night while praying to the Father and sweating blood. He suffered into the hands of the Roman Soldiers, plus the betrayal of Judas. He got arrested and his friends turned their backs on Him. He suffered insults, mockeries, false accusations, spits and punches from the Pharisees, Priest and Roman Soldiers during his unjust trial. Peter denied Him three times. He suffered scourging and flogging that ripped His flesh open to the point of seeing his ribs. Pontius Pilate, governor of Rome, found no guilt in Jesus, but the crowd still screamed out, "Crucify Him!" He was taken up to the Place of Skull called Golgotha. He was executed through cruxification, along with two criminals on his side, but Jesus was not a criminal. Hours have passed by as Jesus was hung up on the cross. Darkness covered the sky. Jesus took the sins of the world, and the Father poured out His judgement upon the Son. For all of eternity, Jesus suffered a separation from the Father on this day. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 describes this event. 
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Jesus' Last Words
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Before He died, He spoke 7 last words:

• "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34)

• "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

• Speaking to one of the criminals: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

• "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46)

• Speaking to John: "Behold, your mother!" (John 19:27)

• "I thirst." (John 19:28)

• "It is finished." (John 19:30) 

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Songs To Reflect On
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Reflect this day honorably, respectfully and in a worshipful manner.

• The Power Of The Cross by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty
• Once Again by Matt Redman
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris TomlinJohn Newton
• When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts
• Suffering Servant by Dustin Kensrue
• The Old Rugged Cross by 

Reflection Questions For The Easter Weekend

As we are approaching the Easter weekend, I highly encourage us to reflect on questions regarding the person and work of Jesus (death and resurrection) whether if you are doing a personal devotion or in a small group or seeking. I separated the questions into two categories: Theological, and Personal Application. 

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Theological
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1. What is the Gospel - the Good News?
2. Regarding salvation, was it necessary for Jesus to die in order for people's sin to be forgiven? 
3. Explain what redemption is. How does redemption connect to Expiation, Propiation, Reconciliation, Ransom, Justification and Atonement? 
4. How was Jesus the perfect sacrifice?
5. What is "Penal Substitutionary Atonement", and how was that accomplish through Jesus?
6. There is a profound question, I think, by Anselm: Why did God become man? Check out this website for more questions.
7. What does Jesus' resurrection mean? Why is this so significant?
8. How does the resurrection speak to our eternal life in Christ?

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Personal Application
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1. We are saved and made right with God only because of Jesus, not our good deeds. Do you believe that Jesus' death and resurrection were enough to pay for your sins? 
2. Was it fair for Jesus to pay for your sins?
3. What is grace? Do you struggle to understand God's love for you? How should it affect our daily lives?
4. People attempted to explain away the resurrection. Why is that? What is the most compelling evidence of the resurrection?
5. In what ways does the resurrection give you hope and change the way you live?

Passion Week

I'm very excited for this Sunday because we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate not just the fact that He defeated Satan, sin and death in victory through His death and resurrection, but that ultimately He's alive to show the world that He is God! On a personal note, we can't completely celebrate Easter without understanding the depth and seriousness of our sins. Jesus took upon the sin of the world as he was hung on the cross.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

I highly encourage you and myself to make this week all about Jesus (it should be every single of moment of our lives as Christians). Whatever that is distracting you, whether if it's videogame, drama, schoolwork, or the business of life, I encourage you to set those aside and be alone with God and reflect upon the cross.

Here is a song (hymn) that's not very well-recognized, but I hope you'll be encouraged: