Over two thousand years ago, Jesus lived in Palestine. He said he was the son of God. The Roman rulers and the high priests contradicted his claim, condemned him, and put him to death on the cross. He shed his blood, and gave his life, forgiving even those who had pierced his body. In all of history, only that day is called the Good Friday. Because his death brought to humanity, redemption and a claim to paradise.
When Jesus was born, the saviour was born; when he died, humankind obtained the means of salvation. He suffered on the cross as an innocent victim. But he is the victor, for he conquered death.
His blood cleanses all blood that is contaminated with division, dispute, disease, and the poison of sins. Whoever believes in him has “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
“I lay down my life for the sheep” (St. John 10:15), said Jesus. Humans are like sheep gone astray, so the cross is not a ‘chance' but a ‘choice,' in the redemptive plan of the eternal God. Jesus did not die for his own sins but for the sins of mankind. Sin entered the world through the disobedient act of Adam and Eve, and redemption came by means of the obedience of Jesus.
Cross is the tree that converted the curse into a blessing. The fruit of the cross is: “Peace with God, access to Heaven, reconciliation, redemption, love, pardon, health and power.” The forgiveness pronounced on the cross climaxes the ministry of the incarnate God.
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the Life. He who believes in one, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die” (St. John 11:25, 26). This is the living strength and the dying hope of a Christian.
On Easter day, Jesus left his grave and triumphantly sat on the right hand of the Father in heaven. Pondering the person on the blood-wetted cross and his dying love causes daily consecration, to die to self and liberate the damned. Good Friday brings good days to sad and sorrowful hearts that have no hope.
T. Prabhakara Rao,
Machilipatnam
