Great Friday

All over the world, Christians are celebrating Good Friday, the day Jesus Christ was crucified. Years ago, my wife and I started calling it Great Friday because it's not just a good day but a great day! It's the day Jesus Christ died for our sins and nailed them to a cross. There would be no Easter and no resurrection unless Jesus was first willing to die in our place.

We ran a story Thursday on the 700 Club about the two possible places in Jerusalem where Jesus might have gone to the cross, the Garden Tomb or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. You can see it here.

Many archeologists believe the Church has more evidence behind it as the real location of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. For those who have visited the Garden however, it certainly has the atmosphere and feel of what it might have looked like 2000 years ago. But as the folks at the Garden say, it's not the place that's important, it's the Person. Regardless of where Jesus died, was buried and rose again, the fact is, He did. That's the joy of the Resurrection and Good News more than a billion Christians celebrate on Easter.

Years ago, the movie the Passion of the Christ came out. One of the questions it raised - particularly here in Israel - was 'did the Jews kill Jesus?' One commentator however made the point, 'how can you blame somebody for killing Someone who's still alive?'

One of the simplest descriptions I've ever heard of the Gospel was by one of the guides at the Garden Tomb named Ken Trestrail. Ken is a delightful fellow. When we did another Easter story several years ago, we followed Ken around as he led a group around the Garden. You can see that story here.

Here's how Ken summed up the Gospel: "The moment in time we do business with Him, He takes us in our arms, His blood will deal with our sin problem. And He lifts us out of time and He plants our fate with His in the Heavenlies. Here's good news in a day of bad news. Two thousand years ago, death couldn't hold Jesus and 2,000 years on, death won't hold those of us who die in Christ Jesus."

I hope you too this Easter can find that "Good News in a day of bad news."