Father, It is Finished – Please Forgive Me
I have a hard time getting my brain around all that this day we call “Good Friday” embraces.
When I think about the betrayals and denials, trials and lashes, a crown of thorns and crowds shouting “crucify Him” … all pieces of the day that Jesus suffered and died.
How can we call it … Good Friday?
Because Jesus’ sacrifice that day is Good News for the lost and broken … for people like you and me.
People who need forgiveness. So, I’m praying…
Father, It is Finished – Please Forgive Me
Father, Your Word says…
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 John 4:10
Your love overwhelms me … humbles me.
I am so undeserving of Your grace and mercy.
I imagine myself in the worst parts of that day. Oh, it’s easier to think that I would have been standing with John and the Marys … that I would have faithfully followed Your Son to the foot of the cross.
But I wonder, would I have been strong enough or would I have followed the crowd? Would I have been stood strong on Your truth or listened to church leaders, the ones with power and prestige.
That’s how I end up overwhelmed…
Because of Your amazing grace and unfailing love You suffered and died for them, for me!
You sent Your Son to suffer and die for…
- Pharisees and Sadducees
- High Priests and Temple Leaders
- Caiaphas, Herod, and Pontius Pilate
- Soldiers and Guards
- Betrayers and Deniers
- Tax-collectors, Adulterers, and Cheaters
- Sinners
People like me!
So today, as I approach the foot of the cross and hear His words, “It is finished!” And my heart and mind cry out, “Father, forgive me!”
I’m so sorry!
I believe Your Word that says…
Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 3:23
And…
The wages of sin is death.
Romans 6:23
I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that…
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
I believe that by You grace…
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20
And that I have been made right with You, Father, by placing my faith in Jesus Christ. That this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Based on Romans 3:22)
I trust Your promise…
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Romans 10:9–10
And Jesus promise…
I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
John 11:25–26
Which is why I’m overwhelmed, Father.
It is by Your grace that I am saved. Grace given to me through the undeserved suffering and death of Your Son, and my Savior, Jesus.
Thank you!
Because of Jesus’ “It is finished!” Because of Good Friday, I can say, “Please forgive me!”
And hear Him say, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Thank you, Father! That is Good News!
So Funny. I was just thinking this morning on my way to work that it seems “Good Friday” should have a different name. I guess not, really.
I am pretty sure that with the personality I have always had that I would have been one of the crowd who would have gone along even though I hated what was happening. I would not have had the nerve to stand up for what was right. I guess if He forgave them He can forgive me.
Me too, Lisa! I want to think I’d be standing strong away from the crowd but I wonder. What an overwhelming blessing to know that His grace and mercy … His sacrificial love covers it all! Praying you are blessed today!
I am overwhelmed, too, Deb. This day always breaks my heart, and maybe that’s exactly what it should do to us all. A broken heart is contrite before God, asking forgiveness, and knowing Jesus paid a debt we can never repay.
May your Good Friday be blessed, my friend!
Amen, Martha! I believe we are supposed to be broken before Him … today and every day. Completely undone by His amazing grace and overwhelming mercy. Praying your day is blessed as well!