Discipleship Point

For Good Friday

And when I think that God his son not sparing
sent him to die I scarce can take it in.
(How Great Thou Art)

The Apostle Paul testified, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. In our Covenant of Discipleship at Hope, this is where the path of discipleship starts: A confession of faith: "I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead".

Friday is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, planned centuries before Jesus became a baby. Good Friday’s events represent how deep God's love is and show His Heart for people – for mankind. That goes for God the Father giving up His Son and for God the Son enduring significant suffering. Hymns we sing on this occasion speak deeply: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", even the simple lyrics, "were you there when they crucified my Lord". We end today's devotion with a prayerful image from a powerful lyric of the song "Once Again" by Matt Redman.

Once again I look upon the cross where you died
I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank you, once again I pour out my life.
~ "Once Again" by Matt Redman

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 51:13-19

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,
O God, you who are God my Savior
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, O God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Teaching or Command of God:

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

1 Peter 2:5

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Pondering Point

In order to let us view God’s mercy in our lives, Jesus offered His body in sacrifice, a holy and pleasing act to God the Father. When we offer our bodies as living sacrifices in the name of Jesus, that too is holy and pleasing to God – an act of spiritual worship in God’s eyes.