The Mystery and Glory of the Gospel

Whether as an individual or a household, use the songs and Scripture readings below to help you meditate on the mystery and glory of the gospel. Jesus Christ died for us. 

Good Friday, April 10, 2020

[Read Isaiah 53:10]

These are perplexing words in Isaiah, a stunning view of God’s plan to redeem humanity from the ravages and penalty of his judgment for sin. God willingly, purposefully, deliberately crushing his own son. Who can really explain the gospel other than “God’s love”? But what exactly happened when God crushed his only son? Here in Matthew’s gospel we read excerpts of Jesus final days. Read these passages aloud and consider what this moment in history was like for him:

[Read Matthew 26:1-4, 14-16] 

Matthew tells the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion, but Isaiah the prophet many centuries before gave the details of all that occurred that day. The verses we just read in Matthew are only the beginning of this horrific day for Jesus. He had gone about healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and most importantly sharing the good news that all who are condemned because of their sin can find life in him if they only believed. Instead, rather than believing many conspired to silence Jesus by killing him. Tragically it was one of his own disciples, someone considered to be a close friend who betrayed him. 

[Read Matthew 26:47-50]

[Read Matthew 27:1-2, 27-44]

In Isaiah we see the flood of pain and suffering keep building and building and building as the prophet gives us a painfully graphic description of exactly how Jesus suffered and what during his crucifixion. His appearance was marred, beyond human semblance (52:14). He was despised (53:3). He was rejected (v. 3). He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted (v. 4). He was pierced. He was crushed. He was wounded (v. 5). He was oppressed (v. 7). He was cut off (v. 8). He was killed, died and was buried with the wicked (v. 9).  Jesus was called “the suffering servant”. He willingly suffered. He chose to bear our griefs and voluntarily carried our sorrows. No one takes his life; he lays it down of his own accord (John 10:18). He did not go to his death kicking and flailing and bemoaning his inescapable fate. Instead he opened not his mouth. He endured his affliction silently. He approached his death purposefully. He took upon himself the sins of the people freely.

[Read Matthew 27:45-61]