"Good" Friday.

This is the day.

After three years of declaring and showing the love of the Father to everyone who would listen, Jesus stepped into His final role, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” and the enemy took his best shot. (Jn 1:29)

It was a power encounter like none the world had ever seen.

The city shook. The sun went black. The massive curtain in the temple that signified the barrier between God and man was ripped open. Eyewitnesses reported that many of the dead came out of the tombs of Jerusalem and wandered into the city.

But in the midst of the torture and agony, there was no doubt Who was in control. When the criminal hanging next to Him realized Who was being killed, he asked to be remembered. Jesus’ response, as translated by Tim Mackie, was “Later this afternoon I’ll meet you in the Garden.” (1)

When humanity’s debt for all its rebellion had utterly and completely been paid, and the One without sin had finally taken the place of everyone else, Jesus declared, “It is finished.”

As the bodies were taken down from the crosses and buried, the victory of light over darkness continued in unseen places. Peter tells us that “After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah… the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead.” (1Pet 3 and 4)

On the third day angels threw open the door and He emerged from the tomb. The now-crowned King of the universe celebrated His indescribable victory by doing the same thing you would have done. No, actually, He didn’t, because His focus was never on Himself.

Instead, He took a walk on the beach and made breakfast for His devastated followers. Always the healer, always the good shepherd, He gathered the scattered sheep and restored them, turning their intense grief into overwhelming joy.

And having paid the debt for the mess you’ve made of your life, He offers to do the same for you.

Happy Easter! He’s waiting for you.

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1 “Paradise Now”, Tim Mackie, YouTube