GOOD FRIDAY
Before you begin today, you will need to find a few nails and something for your communion elements (like bread & juice). Below there are four sections to reflect and remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Take your own time to read and watch the videos in each section.
PREPARATION
Let's begin to prepare our hearts for this time of reflection and remembrance. 1 Corinthians 11 says: 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.27So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. So let's take some time to prepare our hearts.
REMEMBER
Pick up the nails and hold them in your hand. Feel the pointed tip. Can you imagine the pain of having a spike driven through your wrists and feet? In Colossians 2:14-15 it says that Jesus "nailed our sins to the cross". Jesus took our sins and paid for them. It was your sin, my sin that put Jesus there. One of the ways we remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is to remember the part we have to play in all of this. It's sobering and humbling to realize the ugly nature of our sin and what it cost our Savior. Reflect on that for a moment, that "Jesus was pierced for our transgressions."
COMMUNION
Gather your elements for communion. Communion is a way for us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. Jesus wants us to take communion to remember Him and the payment He made for our sins. For about 2,000 years, followers of Jesus have been taking time to reflect on Jesus through this sacred moment. Today we get to do it again.
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 …The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. ”In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Before you take communion, take a few moments to reflect on Jesus death, confess any sin to Him, and thank Him for His forgiveness.
REFLECTION
Isaiah 53:5 says: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
What does Jesus death on the cross mean for you? It's more than just an historical event. He died for you. Take a moment to write a note or journal. What does Good Friday mean for you? What would you say to Jesus? Maybe it's one word that comes to mind that you want to write down or a note of thanksgiving or gratitude or something else. Spend some time to reflect and write.