The Living God spoke in many different ways and over many centuries to the ancestors of His special people. He spoke to them on many occasions through His prophets—those who represented God and spoke His message.
More recently, in the times leading to the end of the ages, God spoke to His people through His Son. He is God’s only heir of all that is God’s, including His power and authority. It was through the Son that the world and universe were created. The Son is the perfect representation of His Father in every way. He reveals Who God is exactly. The Son—the Word of God made human—spoke all things into existence and maintains the very existence of life.
After the Son gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice to wash away all of man’s sin and guilt, He sat down in honor and majesty in heaven, at the Father’s right hand, the seat of authority. (Hebrews 1:1-3 paraphrased)
The essential gospel
Jesus—the Son of God—came to earth. He died on behalf of all humanity, so they could be reconciled to God. After three days, He came back to life from the death He suffered when crucified. Then He returned to His original place with His Father—God—in the seat of authority.
This is the essential gospel. This essential gospel is the confidence and hope of every true follower of Jesus the Messiah—the Savior of the world.
Good Friday
Christian believers throughout the world celebrate Good Friday on this day—a remembrance of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, sentencing, and crucifixion. And yet, the gospel is more than remembering the death of Jesus on the cross.
The gospel includes the truth that God came as a man (Jesus, the Son of God) to die in the place of all humans, so humanity could experience God's forgiveness and freedom from sin, guilt, and death itself. And Jesus was raised from death, after He lay buried in a tomb for three days, which proved His power over sin and death. Then He returned to heaven—the very presence of God the Father—to sit at His right hand, the seat of full authority.
This is why Christian believers have confidence and hope, because Jesus' death is not the end of the story—God's story of redemption. Keep this in mind as you remember, as you celebrate Good Friday. If you can, participate in a local Good Friday service. It is a rich and meaningful tradition worthy of celebration.
But remember... "It's Friday, but... Sunday's-coming'!" (click on this link for a great Good Friday message!)