The Appointed Time
We have appointed times in our lives for many life events. Those times are only known by God. He is the master of all time and His plan is according to His schedule. In Ecclesiastes we are told that there is a time for everything under the sun. For example, God had an appointed time for Jesus to fulfill HIs purpose by coming to earth. He has an appointed time for Him to return, and no one else knows the time or the hour. He also had an appointed time for Jesus to give His life for us.
Today was that day, and we call it Good Friday. But what was so good about the Son of God being humiliated, degraded, betrayed, and abandoned on this day? What was so good about the pain He endured as He was beaten, tortured and nailed to the Cross? What was so good about the loss of His life as He drew His last breath that day?
Even in the midst of His agony and pain, Jesus knew exactly what He would accomplish on the Cross. He knew that no amount of His present suffering, even the worst pain imaginable of being totally separated from God, could outweigh the benefits of salvation and restoration we would be able to experience.
Yes, it was His appointed time to show how much He loves us, even to the point of laying down His life for us. It was also His appointed time to show us what true obedience to the Father looks like. It was His appointed time to show us what faith and trust in God means.
What Jesus did for us on Good Friday cannot be replicated. From His death on the Cross, we now experience the ability to have a real, personal relationship with God. We gained an Intercessor in Jesus, who sits at the feet of God interceding for us, praying for us. His appointed time opened doors for us to grace, mercy and forgiveness that are priceless.
Although it’s difficult to think about the sacrifice and the suffering Jesus endured on Good Friday, His appointed time must not be in vain. On Good Friday, we have the opportunity to reflect on His goodness and on His holiness. We can take time to search our hearts and determine if there are areas we need to clean up. If we don’t know what salvation is, now is the time to find out. If we need to make some changes, now is the time to start.
Use this Good Friday to think about what Jesus did for you on the Cross today. Ask Him to meet you right where you are and to have a heart to heart with you. If you haven’t asked Him into your heart, why not do that today? It’s simple. Just confess that Jesus is the Son of God who died for you and rose again. Ask Him to forgive your sins and then turn your life over to Him. The angels in heaven will shout and rejoice that another soul has been saved.
For those of us who’ve experienced salvation,we can reflect on the day we were saved and then thank Jesus. Without His death on the Cross today and His resurrection, we would still be lost, wandering in darkness. Praise God for the sacrifice of Jesus!
“Jesus said to him (Zacchacus), ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’” Luke 19:9-10
Prayer
Jesus,
I thank You that I am healed by the stripes upon Your back. I praise You that You have taken up my transgressions and have set me free. I rejoice in You that Your blood shed has cleansed me and delivered me of all my sins—past, present and future. I am grateful to be under You and not the law. I no longer have to sacrifice only to fall short and not be able to be near You. I can now go past the curtain, torn in half, be in Your presence and bask in Your glory. I am no longer an orphan, but a child of God. I am no longer a slave, but a friend of God. I am no longer a victim, but victorious. All glory, honor and praise is lifted up to You, Jesus, my LORD, Savior, Friend, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, Light, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Strength! Hallelujah! Amen!
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
Google Doc
Today was that day, and we call it Good Friday. But what was so good about the Son of God being humiliated, degraded, betrayed, and abandoned on this day? What was so good about the pain He endured as He was beaten, tortured and nailed to the Cross? What was so good about the loss of His life as He drew His last breath that day?
Even in the midst of His agony and pain, Jesus knew exactly what He would accomplish on the Cross. He knew that no amount of His present suffering, even the worst pain imaginable of being totally separated from God, could outweigh the benefits of salvation and restoration we would be able to experience.
Yes, it was His appointed time to show how much He loves us, even to the point of laying down His life for us. It was also His appointed time to show us what true obedience to the Father looks like. It was His appointed time to show us what faith and trust in God means.
What Jesus did for us on Good Friday cannot be replicated. From His death on the Cross, we now experience the ability to have a real, personal relationship with God. We gained an Intercessor in Jesus, who sits at the feet of God interceding for us, praying for us. His appointed time opened doors for us to grace, mercy and forgiveness that are priceless.
Although it’s difficult to think about the sacrifice and the suffering Jesus endured on Good Friday, His appointed time must not be in vain. On Good Friday, we have the opportunity to reflect on His goodness and on His holiness. We can take time to search our hearts and determine if there are areas we need to clean up. If we don’t know what salvation is, now is the time to find out. If we need to make some changes, now is the time to start.
Use this Good Friday to think about what Jesus did for you on the Cross today. Ask Him to meet you right where you are and to have a heart to heart with you. If you haven’t asked Him into your heart, why not do that today? It’s simple. Just confess that Jesus is the Son of God who died for you and rose again. Ask Him to forgive your sins and then turn your life over to Him. The angels in heaven will shout and rejoice that another soul has been saved.
For those of us who’ve experienced salvation,we can reflect on the day we were saved and then thank Jesus. Without His death on the Cross today and His resurrection, we would still be lost, wandering in darkness. Praise God for the sacrifice of Jesus!
“Jesus said to him (Zacchacus), ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’” Luke 19:9-10
Prayer
Jesus,
I thank You that I am healed by the stripes upon Your back. I praise You that You have taken up my transgressions and have set me free. I rejoice in You that Your blood shed has cleansed me and delivered me of all my sins—past, present and future. I am grateful to be under You and not the law. I no longer have to sacrifice only to fall short and not be able to be near You. I can now go past the curtain, torn in half, be in Your presence and bask in Your glory. I am no longer an orphan, but a child of God. I am no longer a slave, but a friend of God. I am no longer a victim, but victorious. All glory, honor and praise is lifted up to You, Jesus, my LORD, Savior, Friend, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, Light, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Strength! Hallelujah! Amen!
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
Google Doc
Posted in Walking In Grace
Posted in Time, Jesus, Purpose, Suffering, Obedience, Salvation, Restoration, Trust, Intercessor, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness
Posted in Time, Jesus, Purpose, Suffering, Obedience, Salvation, Restoration, Trust, Intercessor, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness
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