Good Friday is always a day full of mixed emotions for me.  On one hand I feel great sorrow and the other is such joy and thankfulness.  Today is the day that followers of Christ remember the day that Christ CHOSE to sacrifice himself out of love for every single one of us, and those to come.  It was a day that Christ CHOSE to take upon himself the punishment that is rightfully mine (and yours) for our sins, so that he could restore his relationship with us.  So that we might have life.  I think about my own pain and pleadings with the Lord and cannot imagine the pain he felt in those moments when he pleaded with God to find another way.  In essence, God had to turn his back on his son so that all those that belief would be redeemed back to him.  I cannot imagine the tremendous sacrifice it was for God to allow his son to endure the sins of the world, the pain of the cross, and the rejection of man….and yet, He chose it, knowing that the sacrifice would be worth the price paid.  So, on one hand, my heart hurts just thinking about that.

And on the other hand my heart rejoices!  My heart rejoices as one of those who has been redeemed by the blood of the cross, that was purchased by Christ’s death on the cross.  Because by Christ’s bearing of the guilt, shame, and sins of the world, I now can journey with the Lord in grace, mercy, love, and for eternity.  I owe him my life.  And since that day that I understood and accepted the sacrifice, and likewise, offered myself back to God I have found no greater joy, no greater foundation, no greater Redeemer, than my friend, my father, and my Lord.

So while I feel heavy today, I know the story….that in a few short days, we will celebrate the day when Christ was resurrected back to heaven to be reunited with his father, and thus, reuniting us with him.  What a sacrifice, what a blessing!  Thankful today.