The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1955-03-24
S e m Onefie
Why Good FrIday9
Who was delivered for our

OlIenCeS Romans 4.Z5a.
Every year the Friday preced-
ing Easter is known as Good
Friday The observance of this
day is not commanded by God.
1t is only custom among
Christian churches. 1t commem-
crates the crucifixion of Jesus
Christ. On that day, usually from
noon until three O'clock, pro-
Tossing Christians gather to wor-
ship and hear expounded the re-
| cords concerning that great
event which has greatly influ-
enced the other events of world
history That inflence will go on
for time and eternity. Yet, every
true Christian daily remembers
that Christ died on the cross
for him, personally.
What took place during that
afternoon which is observed as
Good Friday demonstrates two
truthS-the exceedingly sinful
ness of man, his rebellion against
God, and Gods hatred for sin
and love for the sinner.
Our text tells us that Jesus
Christ was delivered for our of
fences" God has a holy law.
Every person has broken that
law (Romans $40, 23), indicating
that we are sinners (sin is the
breaking of that law, l John 3:4) .
The Word of God warns us that
'the soul that sinneth, it shall
die ezekiel 1873, ~. But we
also read in Ezekiel 1882; 81
have no pleasure in the death of
him that dieth saith the Lord
God" So the Apostle John re-
cords that God so loved the
world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever be-
lieveth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life"
Paul, in writing to the Roman
Christians, was led to say that
GOD commendeth His love to-
ward us. in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for US"
(Romans 5:8). Christ died on be-
half of the sinner (you and y.
God made Him (Jesus) to be
sin for us, Who knew no sin;
that we might be made the
Righteousness of God in Him"
(II Corinthians sgd. Peter ex-
presses the same thought in his
first letter Il Peter 2:24): who
(Jesusl His own self bare our
sins in His own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to
sins, should live unto righteous
ness: by Whose stripes ye were
healed"
Now we cannot explain away
the Importance Of the above
words (seeking to absolve our
selves from the responsibility
implied in them and in similar
passages of the epistles) by de-
claring them to be Pauline and
Petrine theology. 1t is true that
Paul and Peter were the instru-
ments of the Holy Spirit used
to pen those words, yet their
words are in reality a commen-
tary on and a fuller revelation
of the teachings of Jesus con-
cerning His death John 16:12-l4;
Matthew 1921; 1922. %; 2O:17-
10; 26:27, 20; Luke 22:19, 20;
What took place on Calvary's
cross on that day, about 1922
years ago, was that Jesus Christ,
the sinless Son of God, suffered
on our behalf. He suffered the
agonies of He'll for sinful men.
He fulfilled the demands of the
holy law in our stead. He asSum-
ed our guilt and took our pun
ishment on Himself. Yet, no one
can enjoy the full benefits of
Christ's sacrifice unless he is
willing to cease living for self
and worldly pleasures and let
Jesus Christ become Lord of His
life John 3:16-l8, believe" in
cludes the idea Of trust and sur
render; Romans 1919, l0).
How shall we escape, if we
neglect so great salvation?"
Man of Sorrows" what a
name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelupah what a saviorl
Bearing shame and soothing
rude,
In my place condemned He |
stood,
Sealed my pardon with His
blood;
Hallelupah! what a savior
Guilty, vile and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He; |
Full atonement!" can it be? |
Hailelupah! what a saviori
Lifted up was He to die,
1T is finished" was His cry; /
Now in heav'n exalted high,
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
p. P. Bliss
Roy E. Wikander