This is the Day of the Cross – Good Friday. This is a Day to remember and give thanks for.
In his book Cries from the Cross Erwin Lutzer informs us that in the first century the Romans crucified around thirty thousand people every year. This was the accepted method of punishment for political prisoners and a variety of other criminals. Lutzer notes that they experienced the same physical suffering as Jesus. However, in contrast to these others, the cup the Father gave to Jesus made Him our “sin bearer.”
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rom 3:23-26
Lutzer writes that God made sure that no one could question His justice. Hence Christ died in atonement for our sins so that we could fellowship with the Father. His death was prefigured in the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament. Lutzer also identifies seven significant cries of Jesus as He hung on the cross for our sins:
1) A Cry for Pardon
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34
2) A Cry of Assurance
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43
3) A Cry of Compassion
When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” John 19:26-27
4) A Cry of Anguish
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mat 27:46 (see Psalm 22:1; Isaiah 53:4)
5) A Cry of Suffering
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” John 19:28 (see Psalm 69:21)
6) A Cry of Victory
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30
7) A Cry of Submission
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, `into Your hands I commit My spirit.'” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46
Today is the Day to think and meditate upon all these things.
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