Good

Today is Good Friday, Easter weekend.  I used to wonder how on earth we call the day of such suffering for our sake "good."  In Genesis, as God created everything, He declared each thing "good," and mankind "very good."  And just pages away, we humans made things go very badly...requiring the sacrifices Christ made on our behalf.  We soiled things, and the only way to clean it up (to make it good again) was the unsoiled, undefiled, unparalleled blood of Jesus covering our filth and converting us by faith - good thing for us.  Good Friday, indeed.

There was no other answer, no Lysol - only Love's soul - could penetrate the stains of our rebellion.

God's great mercy washed over our woeful, menacing sin debt.  We could never pay what we owe, but the only One who has stood in our skin stood in our place after living thirty-three years of spotless obedience...He could.  Good Friday is not the end of the story; but it's the reason we celebrate Christmas.  If Christ had not given His life for us, it would have done no real good for Him to come incarnate at all.  Who could argue that Christmas isn't good?  One (festively decorated) tree without the other (the one from which the cross was crafted to crucify the Carpenter) would be useless; and we would be hopeless.

Easter is Sunday, and it's an opportunity many take to pursue the peace for which Christ came, lived, died...and rose again to bring.  Don't fret over hidden eggs when you have the revealed Truth.

Jotting with Johnna

• What good have you witnessed in your life despite dark days like that Friday so long ago?
• How might you see every day in a different light, now that we are living in the shadow of the Cross?
• Have you found for yourself the peace Jesus brings?
• With whom might you discuss this?
• When can you make time this weekend to celebrate the wonder of Easter?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the love Jesus gives, not because of your own merit or anything you have done to earn it, but because He gives it freely and unconditionally to all who trust in Him.  Turn from defiance toward His deliverance.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.