For obvious reasons, this day is so near and dear to my heart. Without this day and Resurrection Sunday I would be doomed for all eternity and no have good purpose for my earthly life. But today is near and dear to me for reasons not so obvious. You see, I have been set free. Yes - I have been set free from my sin, free from death and eternal hell. I have been freed to walk this life in relationship with the One who purchased my freedom with His own precious blood (here come the tears, that didn't take long). But I have also been set free - from that awful thing known as religion.
Good Friday has been a special day since since my childhood. But as I go through this day and I think back to those days, my gratitude is doubled. When I was child, working on Good Friday - whether at a job or just regular housework, was considered a sin. You were offending Jesus if you washed a dish or swept the floor. You were supposed to attend church and spend the rest of the day somber, if not mourning, for the pain that He went through. I remember my great-grandmother and great aunts spending the day wailing - "Jesus died." Even as a child I remember being confused. I knew He died, but I also knew He rose again - and it didnt seem logical that He "died again" every year. One year when I was 12, I was talking to one of my friends. She was a born again, spirit filled believer, but I did not know or understand that at the time. I told her she was supposed to mourn on Good Friday. She was puzzled. She looked at me and said: "why mourn? You were given a gift". Two years later, that same girl would take me to her youth group on a Wednesday night and my destiny would forever change.
I am not working today. And I am happy and blessed to say that I have never worked on Good Friday since 1988. But not because I believe its a sin. It is not a sin to work today. I don't believe anyone who does work is offending Jesus. I have only worked in one office that is closed on Good Friday. My current company as well as the past three are open and functioning today - without me. I take Good Friday off for the same reason that married couples go out on their anniversary. I break from the ordinary to remember and celebrate. Jesus isnt dying again today. He is not on a cross today. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is reigning King of kings and Lord of lords.
Though I dont work today - I did do housework. I don't think Jesus minds. But after doing housework and before heading to church to begin my volunteer duties for tonight, I did something I have done for the past 24 years. I made a date with my Savior. Just me and Him. Quietly reflecting on what He did for me.
The funny thing is - I think I am more aware of my sin and my innate sinful nature now than I ever have been before - even when I first accepted Jesus as my Savior. The Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It also says there is none righteous - no, not one. It clearly tells us when compared to the Holyness of God - any righteousness we can come up with on our own is like filthy rags. Do you want me to break down the original Hebrew? I can... ;
See I have no power to live sin free. The Bible says we are sinful from our mothers womb. Sinful from conception. I can't change that. The Bible also says the wages (penalty) for sin is death.
Jesus - who knew no sin - took my sin. That crown of thorns peirced His head. The nails tore into His hands and feet. That precious, sinless blood - now tainted with my sin. Why? Because He chose to. He loved me and He wanted a relationship with me, both here on earth and forever in heaven - and the cross was the only way He could have that relationship.
And now with a relationship, my view and approach to sin drastically changes. In religion, I am TRYING not to sin to gain good standing and approval with God. Impossible. Now, I try to live according to His Word, not to gain His approval - because I already have it. Not to "be good enough for heaven" - my non-refundable ticket into heaven was purchased by His blood. Religion tells us that when we approach those pearly gates, we will have to review our report card with the gatekeeper. NOPE! There is a book in heaven. It's called The Lamb's Book of Life. My name is in it. I get in.
Does that mean I can live whatever way I want to? Jesus loves me so I can do what I want. God forbid! But the difference is in the why - why do I chose how I live. Because I love Him. Just like in a marriage or even close friendship - you do things that you know will make the other smile and you try not to do things that the other hates. Not because you are trying to get a relationship - but because you have one.
I've cried already today. And if history repeats itself I will cry in church tonight. But it's not the same crying that my relatives did. I cry when I remember what Jesus did. But I cry a cry of gratitude and freedom. Gratitude because as sinful and nasty and selfish as I am - Jesus still chose the nails for me. He still loved me enough to endure the cross. My mind cannot fathom a love that like. I accept it by faith, though I don't understand it.
But tears or no, I celebrate today. The anniversary of Jesus giving me a gift. He purchased my salvation, He took my sin as His own. He invited me into relationship with Him - and thus - freed me from the shackles of man-made religion. You will not see a crucifix near me - because Jesus isnt on the cross anymore. But you will see a cross around my neck - and the image seared into my heart. The cross is my Statue of Liberty. And today - is a Good Friday.
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