All this week, we have been looking back at the Passion Week Series from 2009.
Today is Good Friday 2010. Today is the day we remember the cross of Christ. On this day, 2,000 years ago, Jesus died for the sins of the entire world once and for all.
Good Friday, the 14th of Nisan 32 A.D.
Jesus technically under-went a total of six trials beginning in the early morning of that Friday: He had three Jewish trials and three Roman trials. He was declared guilty in each of the Jewish trials and innocent at each of the Roman ones.
He did not attempt at any point to declare Himself innocent. In fact, during much of the trials He remained silent:
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. –Isaiah 53:7.
Do you know why Jesus could not make any defense again the accusations? Because He was in our place! He took our sins upon Himself! Before a Holy and Righteous Creator, we are guilty! The only way we can stand justified before God is by the blood of Christ that was shed on that rugged, wooden cross 2,000 years ago.
You remember Barabbas, right? Barabbas was guilty. Barabbas was condemned to die. What happened? Jesus took his place. Jesus went to the cross and Barabbas walked away! The murdering criminal walked away innocent! Jesus and Barabbas switched places.
We . . . you and I . . . are Barabbas.
Are you willing to live another day without Christ? Are you prepared to pay a debt to God worthy of death and eternal separation from Him? If not, you can change your eternal destiny by calling upon the name of Jesus and turning away from sin. If you would chose a time to do this, I can’t think of a better day than this day: the day we remember Jesus paying our certificate of debt and declaring it: “PAID IN FULL!”
May He Increase!
