The Gospel message has many potential beginnings, but Jesus' work on the cross has two distinct parts. There is the work that happened on Good Friday, and there is the work that happened on Easter Sunday.
To end the story after Good Friday is to not tell the whole story.
This is only part one. Jesus' humiliation and death are the first steps of the reason he came to live as a human. He came to suffer and die in our place, to fulfill a need we could not meet.
Jesus, the perfect Son of God, died a sinner's death so that we may be free.
That is good news in itself. That is why this is called Good Friday. We are free because of what Jesus did.
But that's just part one. Part two comes on Easter Sunday, when death did not hold him down.
We remember his death on Good Friday because it was vital. It had to happen for us to be free. Why?
Jesus was the only one who could defeat death.
This is the truth of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died a sinner's death, and was raised to life again, creating a way for humanity in its sinfulness to be with God in communion.
He did this for us as a gift. We are free from guilt, free from shame, free from suffering, because he took it on himself.
Good Friday is the Gospel part 1. Easter is the Gospel part 2.
This weekend, we celebrate the love of God.
J. J. Hanna is a writer and reader who loves God and wants to help encourage others with what she knows and what she's learning. Answer her questions with a quick note and connect with her on social media. She's excited to hear from you!
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