“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (Romans 5:6-9 NASB)
When I sat down to write this Friday morning, I had a story in mind that would end up with a biblical message to ensure you were God-conscious today. However, the Holy Spirit led me in another direction on this day we designate as Good Friday, a day that we should definitely remember Christ’s death on a cross, in obedience to the will of the Father; died to atone for our sins; died that we who believe can have life.
I understand why the Spirit moved me in this direction. For it is not just a normal weekend. There is Good Friday on one end and Resurrection Sunday on the other end. We started with Palm Sunday at the start of what we often refer to as a very special, Holy Week. I say special because it is especially true that for believers every, week should be a holy week. You know what the Lord said, “Be holy for I am holy!” You know what Peter wrote, “We are a holy nation.” But this week where Christ gave us a way to reconcile our relationship with the Father is a very special Holy Week.
Again, this is not just a normal weekend. Picture two bookends supporting a number of books, valuable best sellers. If you want to, you can imagine these books being the sixty-six books of the Bible. That is a good and appropriate way to imagine the books, from a theological perspective. Now, stay with the picture. Notice that the first bookend has the words in the opening verses inscribed on them. Read them again! The bookend on the other side of the books has the words of the closing verses written on it! These are beautiful bookends, designed by the inspiration of God, and therefore they weigh heavy from a spiritual perspective, because of the undisputed truth they convey. Read the last verse now, before continuing.
My friend, now that you have taken a close look at the “Holy Weekend Bookends,” start rejoicing in the Lord, offering Him praise, expressing your gratefulness for the Lord making a way for us to have salvation. Perhaps on your way to work today or as you get going on whatever you do at home, sing, “I Know It Was The Blood For Me.” Stay God-conscious and Christ-focused today! It is not just another weekend. Be blessed!
“Abraham didn’t focus on his own impotence and say, “It’s hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child.” Nor did he survey Sarah’s decades of infertility and give up. He didn’t tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That’s why it is said, “Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.” But it’s not just Abraham; it’s also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.” (Romans 4:19-25 The Message)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King