Good Friday Service and Songs

Today I had a chance to worship with my church in honor of Good Friday, the commemoration of the sufferings of Jesus leading up to and including his death. One man willingly and intentionally walked into a firestorm of accusations, ill will, and political expediency knowing that it meant certain death for him.

He bore in his body our sins on the cross so that all who believe in him might die to sin and live to righteousness. The sufferings of Jesus were a horrible injustice, and yet he bore them all and persevered for the joy set before him, the joy of a church full of people who were redeemed by the blood he shed.

There are so many mysteries in all of this related to the nature of atonement, the incarnation, and the Trinity. In spite of the mysteries, the simple summary still penetrates the hardest hearts and the most enslaved minds, Jesus died for sinners.

I've been greatly encouraged by a couple of songs by Third Day, a band that captures in many ways the biblical teaching on who Jesus is and how he purchased salvation for sinners. My two favorites of the moment, highly appropriate for Good Friday are Communion and Carry My Cross. You should check 'em out!