By: Rev. Starr Thomas,
Vice-President/Publishing Director
CCMR Ministries Inc.
The last message from FOOD FOR THOUGHT SERIES was Palm Sunday Reflections and this message is Reflections of Good Friday and the Resurrection of Jesus! This message is two fold in that there are differences of Good Friday when Jesus was crucified and Sunday, the first day of week when Jesus had risen from the dead. Reflect upon the suffering and pain of Jesus at the time of the crucifixion and to those who were close to Jesus. That it all was so horrendous, and then, learned two days later that Jesus had risen!
What must those who were witness felt when Jesus was crucified? Could it have been to them more like black Friday because they didn’t quite get that he would rise on the third day, or just couldn’t grasp that this was ordained had to happen and actually was great news for mankind! Were they finally joyful when Jesus arose from the dead? Can you imagine and place yourself in their position or even understand how horrendous for Jesus and that the Father , that the Father could not look at the Son, because his only son had absorbed all of mankind’s sins? What can we learn from these scriptures?
When reflecting, studying and meditating about Good Friday, and the crucifixion of Jesus, see what happens in the events that led up to that day. Look up the following scriptures; Luke Chapters 22 and 23, Mark Chapters 14 & 15, and Matthew Chapters 26 & 27; to see what happened to Jesus. The following are listed in these events: From Judas betraying Jesus, to The last supper, Jesus praying on Mount of Olives, His arrest, Peter disowning Jesus, the guards mocking Jesus, Jesus before Pilate and Herod, and in front of Pilate those inciting the anger of the people shouting “Crucify him! Releasing of the murderer Barabbas, the whippings, making him carry his cross a distance, and all these horrendous occurrences that led up to an agonizing death and the unimaginable separation from God.
Could it be that even in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was praying to the Father knowing that the time was near, that this was agonizing for him, asking (“My Father, if it all possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.?” ) Matthew 26:39
If he had changed his mind and not been obedient to God, The Father; Could his disobedience affect our salvation? I don’t think that there was ever a question that Jesus would have disobeyed the Father, but we cannot even conceive of what he went through for us! Could it be that his Love for us is so strong!, that nothing would ever get in His way? How about those that witnessed these things, could they even imagine or understand? Could it be that anyone of us, if we were there feel like this was the worst day in our life! and at least till that Sunday Morning when he arose from the dead! Would any of us had been in disbelief about the Risen Christ and need to see the marks in his hands and side, like doubting Thomas?
After reflection upon the Chapters of Scripture listed above, move on to the next chapter to read about the Resurrection! Is this good news for all mankind now, as it was back then! Can you see the impact of this news on your life? Can you reflect on all this and think that any of mankind should not suffer, and be willing to be obedient to the Father, denying self and surrendering anything that would interfere with the fulfillment of the divine purpose of God? Should we reflect about celebrating Good Friday as well as Easter, when Jesus arose from the dead? Now that’s Food For Thought!
Thank you for Tuning into the Food For Thought Series for this Message. From CCMR and our house to yours, May you grow closer to God through study, mediating and reflecting on What Palm Sunday, Good Friday and THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS means to all of us.
