Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, a special day set aside to remember Jesus' death on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Every one of us deserved the death penalty as punishment for our sins, but Jesus Christ received it for us, though he was perfect, without sin.

He committed the ultimate action of compassion, for "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) He has given us the opportunity to live for Him on the earth, so that we can live with Him for eternity. Our desire for each and every one of you today, and every day, comes from Ephesians 3:17b-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God."