Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, we’ll appreciate the Messiah choosing to be crucified like a common criminal.

In Today’s scripture, John 10:17‭-‬18 (NLT), Jesus said…
“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

And in Philippians 2:6‭-‬8 (NLT), the Apostle Paul reminds us of Jesus’ chosen sacrifice…
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Consider…
Christ comes from Christos, a Greek word that means “the anointed one,” or “the chosen one.” The Hebrew word meaning the same thing is Mashiach, or as we know it—Messiah.

Based on this definition, today’s alternate headline could be, ‘The Chosen One Chose A Criminal’s Death’.

When searching for an untold story about ‘Good Friday’, I found today’s scriptural entry in the Son of God’s diary. He said, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily.” That means, what we somberly commemorate as ‘Good Friday’, was not simply what was done to Jesus, but what He voluntarily allowed.

It’s because of our selfless Savior’s sacrifice that, “We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” – Hebrews 12:2 ERV

Wow! What an amazing gift, the Sovereign Son of God suffered a shameful death to satisfy our sin debt. (Romans 6:23)

You see to fully appreciate what Jesus did, we must understand why He had to do it. According to Romans 5:12 (ERV)…
Sin came into the world because of what one man did. And with sin came death. So this is why all people must die—because all people have sinned.

Because of Adam’s willful disobedience, the image bearer was separated from the Image. Like Isaiah 59:2 (ERV) says…
It is your sins that separate you from your God. He turns away from you when he sees them.

Yet, let’s not blame Adam for our sin. You see, sin entered the world because of him, but each us are responsible for our own sin. Lest we forget…
You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death. – James 1:14‭-‬15 ERV

Therefore it behooves us to confess like David in Psalms 51:3‭-‬5 (NLT)…
For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

It’s with this background we look to Calvary again. There we see…
There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who as a man gave himself to pay for everyone to be free. This is the message that was given to us at just the right time. – 1 Timothy 2:5‭-‬6 ERV

While I hear the nails being hammered into His hands and feet, I also hear Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.”
John 14:6 ERV

And, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13 NLT

You see with Christ, God chose to become more than the…

• Creator to His created
• Image to His image bearers
• Father to His children
• Master to His slaves
• God to His chosen people

Christ as our friend, though sinless, became the offering for our sin, and bring it’s power and reign to an end. (1 Corinthians 5:21)

So today, as we reflect on our Lord and Savior’s unjust death, let’s remember that He decided to die just to save you and me…
Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us. – Romans 5:6‭-‬8 ERV

What makes ‘Good Friday’ good, is it reminds us that we didn’t choose God, He chose us. Like 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NLT) says…
For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

Today, won’t you choose to live for Him, especially since He chose to die for you? 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Jesus Christ, the Chosen One, chose a criminal’s death just for you. It would be criminal for you not to choose a sacrificial life for Him.

Today’s song is…
He Decided To Die

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)