Good Friday

Good Friday
April 22, 2011

It's All About Death

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear friends,

How would you like to die? There are many answers to that question. But we can all agree that we don't want to die slowly. For most folks dying quickly is a blessing.

I heard of a pastor who died suddenly, as he was getting out of his car in the church parking lot. It happened on Easter Sunday.

If I could choose how I'd like to die that'd be in my top two. But I'd sure like to be able to preach my Easter sermon first, then go home and eat Easter dinner, and then turn on Bach's Easter Cantata, and then my heart stops.

Fast, painless, and cheap, too.

Christ's cross was slow, painful, and costly. But He considered it a joy.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

How would you like to die? Jesus chose how He'd die. Of the thousands of millions of deaths that have and will occur—from Abel to someone's last breath taken before the Last Minute of the World—none, save one, maybe any difference to anyone.

This Holy Friday, don't grow weary and lose heart. Consider the joy of the cross and what He accomplished there for you.

Amen.