Focus
As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God, however that may take place.
Read
Hebrews 10:16-25 (NRSV)
“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,”
he also adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Reflect
The day Christ died the hearts of his family, friends and followers were broken. So many emotions were racing through their minds. What could have happened? How did THIS happen? Dead! He’s DEAD!! Why in the years to come was this day coined “Good Friday”? This certainly wasn’t a good day for the followers of Jesus.
Luckily for us, the Scriptures have been compiled to include the whole story. On the day Christ died, Luke’s Gospel tells us how the curtain was torn in two. The writer of Hebrews calls this to the attention of his readers by using the imagery that Christ’s body is symbolic of the curtain. Never again will a rope need to be tied to the ankle of the priest entering the Holy of Holies lest he die and need to be pulled out. We have open access to Jesus.
Jesus’ friends at the foot of the cross did not realize what was happening in other parts of Jerusalem. They were caught up in the moment. But over time, they realized the significance of the events of what has come to be known as Good Friday. Centuries later, we continue to gather in the name of Christ, to worship and approach the throne with confidence and remember why we call this a good day.
Pray
Holy God, We come to you on this day humbled by your grace, mercy and love. Our minds can never comprehend the magnitude of your compassion on this day so many years ago when you allowed your Son to be crucified. We praise you God for opening the curtain to allow us in.
Go with God!
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