Holy Week: Good Friday--The Pure Love of Christ

Scriptures:

• Jesus in the hands of the Romans (Mark 15:1-19; Matthew 27:2-30; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:15)
• Crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:20-28; Matthew 27:31-38; Luke 23:26-34, 38; John 19:16-24)
• Jesus' final hours (Mark 15:29-37; Matthew 27:39-50; Luke 23:35-36; John 19:25-30)
• Signs and reactions to Jesus' death (Mark 15:38-41; Matthew 27:51-56; Luke 23:47-49; John 19:31-37)
• The burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42-47; Matthew 27:57-66; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

"Customarily it is called "Good Friday" in English, perhaps because it is a "holy" Friday, or, more likely, because an archaic meaning of good is "God" (for instance, good-bye means "God be with you"). Accordingly, the Friday before Easter is "God's Friday," because this day saw the culmination of God's plan to reconcile the world to himself through the death of his Son" (Huntsman, God So Loved the World, 2011). 

CULMINATION OF GOD'S PLAN

This video gives a glimpse at God's plan for His Beloved Son and why He was sent. 

Are we following Christ? 

Are we being good disciples?

Are we aware of the "wolves in sheep's clothing"? 

Do you KNOW that Jesus is the Christ? 

What does that mean to you?

SELF-EVALUATION TIME

"Pilate was merciful till it became risky."

(C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters)

When I read this quote, I really started evaluating the strength of my testimony and courage to stand up for my beliefs. 

Are we only kind, merciful, generous, honest, until it is risky--only when it is convenient? 

The Gospel is certainly not a convenient, nor comfortable way of living. If you remember President Uchtdorf's talk last October, "Come, Join with Us", He made it evident that if you are looking for a passive religion, you have come to the wrong church. 

I have SOOO much room for improvement in this area and that is why I spent a lot of time contemplating this principle today. Here are some questions that helped me re-focus. 

• Are we like the Zoramites who only worshiped one day a week with their hypocritical prayers? Alma 31:12. 
• Do we quickly give up when our callings push us out of our comfort zone? 
• Do we avoid reaching out to others because it is not "comfortable" or "convenient"? 
• Do we only have Family Home Evening or family scripture study when everyone's schedules happen to align perfectly?
• Do we hesitate to share the Gospel because it is uncomfortable?
• Do we only have the courage to stand up for our beliefs when it is not "risky"? 

One quote that has helped me is:

"There is no growth in the comfort zone;

there is no comfort in the growth zone. 

No pressure, no diamonds." 

Christ's message and Gospel is one of transformation and refining. If we are comfortable in our service and devotion to Heavenly Father, that should serve as a warning sign that we are not giving our all to Him. If we aren't constantly stretching and pushing our limits of comfort, then we are probably not giving our all to Him. He gave His all for us with infinite discomfort and pain, so we should do likewise.

NONE WERE WITH HIM

This video and words from Elder Holland's talk, "None were with Him," are very powerful. 

We are never alone. 

Our Redeemer has "descended below all things" D&C 88:6 D&C 122:7-8. 

He knows exactly how we feel:

Alma 7:11-13
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succorhis people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Succor defined:

1. help for somebody or something: help or relief for somebody or something in a difficult or unpleasant situation
2. somebody or something that furnishes relief
3. Help; relief; aid; assistance

Origin: Latin succurrere--to go beneath, run to the rescue, bring aid, equivalent to run. 

In older times, succor meant a reinforcement of troops during a hard battle.

Not only has Jesus taken upon Him ALL of our pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, sin, and death--He will RUN to our rescue to bring us relief and reinforcement in our hard battles, even though none were with Him in His greatest time of need. 

Invitation:

Watch this video and then say a prayer of gratitude for our dear Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 

Thank Him and invite His Spirit to guide your life more fully. 

Thank Jesus that He has suffered all, that we "might not suffer if [we] repent" D&C 19:16-17. 

Ask God how you can better consecrate your life to Him.