Guest post by Shan:
Today is Good Friday. It is on this day that I end up in tears. I think about my Savior who was spat upon, beaten and killed—willingly for my sake. I remember that He lived the perfect sinless life in my stead. I know that He died and rose again so that I may have eternal life with Him. I am so very grateful for it all, yet today I weep.
I weep because I have the full realization that on this day, in all of my sinfulness, I am found standing with the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” How could I say that! I’m so ashamed that I would rather see my Lord suffer and die so that I could live. And yet…still I say the words, “Crucify Him!”
Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?”
They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
Then he said, “Why? What has He done wrong?”
But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him!” all the more. (Matthew 26:22-23 HCSB)
I am weeping because that is just how sinful I am; I place “self” before my God.
I admit that I am rebellious. My sin is always in front of me. I have sinned against you, especially you [LORD]. (Psalm 51:3-4 GW)
I am weeping because He chooses to die for me and my sins.
Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-12 HCSB)
I am weeping because that is how much He loves me, a pathetic sinner.
This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner. (1 Timothy 1:15 GW)
I am weeping because though I am not worthy, Christ declares me worthy and crowns me with His righteousness.
He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 HCSB)
There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 HCSB)
I am weeping because that is how mighty and loving my God is!
This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins. (1 John 4:10 GW)
Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. Blessed is the person whom the LORD no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts. (Psalm 32:1-2 GW)
I am weeping because my joy is complete in Jesus!
“believe, teach, and confess” 