Good Friday~Sombering or Sobering?

Good Friday~How do you describe it?

Is it a sad day or a joyous day? How should it make us think or feel? Does Good Friday cause us to be sober or somber in our thoughts?

I am sure that that day so many years ago brought sadness to many, yet brought ‘relief’ to so many others. Yet to one, it was sobering. One lone Roman soldier stopped to think~~

what is this really all about?

'Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures' (I Corinthians 15:3). It is sad to think that an innocent, righteous Man~the Creator of the Universe died such a horrific death that day in Jerusalem so many years ago. It is even sadder to think that He died for sinful humans like you and me! Yet, it is for our hope and salvation that He so graciously agreed to take that punishment for our sakes. But does that really make it a happy occasion? I would think not. Rather, I find this somber (dark and dreary) event to be quite sobering (an event that tends to make one thoughtful).-Definitions from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Take a moment to take on the role of the Roman Soldier in Matthew 27. Stop and contemplate~why did this event take place? Why did this innocent Man agree to endure the awful death on the cross, hanging between a robber and a murderer? 

He did it to fulfill the promises of Genesis 3 that God would provide the redemption to salvage the relationship between Himself and mankind after Adam and Eve sinned and brought sin and death to all mankind. He did it because of the words found in John 3:16:

For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Upon realization of what was taking place before his eyes, the Roman soldier fell to his knee and proclaimed “Surely, this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

Before concluding, let’s take a look at the rest of 1 Corinthians 15:3. Paul considered the following to be of utmost importance (and so do I) “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.

Yes, Easter Sunday is a day of rejoicing! The sad, somber events of the crucifixion had turned to joy! Oh, the joy of those dear ladies must have felt upon hearing, “He is not here, He is risen~~just like He said!”

But, on this Good Friday, I invite you, like the Roman soldier, to make this a sobering day~a day to stop and think~ Surely this was the Son of God! And, on Sunday, rejoice in the fact that He lives!

Call upon Him today as the Lord and Savior of YOUR life!

From one of my favorite songs,

I serve a living Savior~~

Debbie