Lead Me To The Cross: 3 Ways I Am Approaching Good Friday Differently

Over the last couple of months, I have spent some time thinking and reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and asked God to humble my arrogant hear,t which had become calloused to the cross.

I have mentioned before that I was raised in the church, and because of that,t I have always been taught that Jesus died for my sins on the cross. Over the years, though, my heart has become hardened to this truth. It became a crucial part of scripture that I glossed over, thinking yeah, yeah, Jesus died for me, a sinner, but it failed to seep into my heart. I knew in my head I was a sinner, but I didn't really understand it in my heart. I believe this is a problem many of us struggle with. We know in our heads we are sinners, but it doesn't sink in. So what needs to change? We need to start praying that God changes our hearts to see our sin as we see others.

While others are congratulating themselves, I lie humbly at the foot of Christ's cross and marvel that I am saved at all

Charles Spurgeon

Praying For A Softened Heart

This prayer of humility was a bold prayer, and it was uncomfortable. To be honest, it wasn't a prayer I wanted to pray, but I knew it was a prayer I needed to pray. Isaiah 53:6 says we all like sheep, have gone astray. Not one of us is innocent. We have all caused ourselves to be separated from God. God is so holy that it is not possible for us to come into his presence in our sinful state. This is why the ancient Jews were called to go through this complex sacrificial system in order to purify themselves. Even then, these sacrifices had to be performed over and over to wash away their sins. The moment before Jesus drew His last breath, he said the words "It is finished" (John 19:30). The law has been found complete in Jesus Christ. This verse is one of the rare moments where I prefer the German translation of the bible. The verse says "Es ist vollbracht (it is completed)." Vollbracht has this meaning of finality, of completion. Though finished can mean this as well, finished has lost some level of completion that I feel the English has lost (at least in my mind).

After reading through Leviticus with a commentary a couple of months ago, God opened my eyes to the impossibility of my situation. Sin separates us from God, it leads us away from life and to death. As someone raised in the church, it is so easy to become blind to our own sin and judge our brothers and sisters for the more open sins. Matthew 7:1-5 warns us specifically about this type of hypocritical behaviour. I realise how quickly I judged and criticised others. Only God has the right to do this. My job is to love others and let God do his job.

This song is a beautiful expression of how we often think that we would have responded differently to the disciples and the jews, yet we likely would have responded just the same as them

Taking Discipleship Opportunities

As mothers and parents, we know that our children's spiritual development must be of our highest priority. I have seen this worked out in many different ways, some good, and some not-so-good. I have struggled in this area for many years. I have felt guilty that I am not doing enough. I have been jealous of others who were able to have bible studies with their family. I have been judgmental and critical of families who choose not to expose their children to worldly media or who I believed to be forcing Jesus down their throats. All of these thoughts were the way the enemy was making me complacent in fostering a true relationship with Christ in my children.

Over the last few months, I have been praying that God will help me to see discipleship moments within my own family. It is okay if it does not look like it does in other families. I have seen God place so many different opportunities in front of me. I have had some opportunities to speak the Gospel to them, I have had times to pray for them while holding them in my lap, we have created scripture art, and most importantly, He gives me opportunities every day to love and care for them in a way that glorifies God. I have not always responded to those opportunities the way God has asked me to, but I have seen and recognised them for what they are.

I am not a perfect mother, far from it. This has been one of those humbling lessons I have had over the last few months. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 tells us that we need to be teaching our children the Gospel as we walk along the road. God wants us to teach our children in their daily lives. Proverbs 22:9 tells us to train up a child in the way he should go and in his old age he will not depart from them. We are building a foundation in our children's lives. We want to take every opportunity to teach our children the Gospel.

Sinking into the Story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection

I know story is not the right term, but recently I have spent time studying, reading commentaries and reflecting on the crucifixion and resurrection. Though I have read the Gospels probably more than a dozen times in my lifetime, it has become just something I did. I was often just trying to tick off a box on a to-do list. I became cold and callous to the Gospel (this relates to the first point). The more I read, the more I saw. I saw more of Jesus' humanity, but also saw much more of his godliness. Jesus felt the pain and rejection. He struggled with the reality of his mortality. He even asked God if there was any other way than him dying on the cross (Matthew 26:38-39), but ultimately, he submitted to the will of God. This shows that he still felt the emotions and the weight of his situation, but above all, he was obedient to the will of God. This shows both his humanness and his godliness.

Jesus' sacrifice is the greatest gift that we could possibly ask for, and yet many of us are neglecting this gift by becoming cold and callous to the reality of our situation and our need for a saviour. I know that this is what I have struggled with, and I am so glad that God has been opening my eyes to see my attitude toward his gift (and this is a continual process. We have become blind to our own need for a saviour.

Lord, I thank You for using me as a vessel for Your Word that You have spoken through this article. I pray for my brother or sister that is reading this, that You would soften their heart to Your gift of salvation that is found in the death and resurrection of Your son Jesus Christ. I pray that you would open their eyes to opportunities for discipleship within their own families and friends. Let them have the wisdom to see these opportunities and to take them and follow up on these opportunities in prayer. Help them to sink in deep into the resurrection and crucifixion, and give them a new level of understanding for what You have done for them to bring them into unity with You.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Post Note

None of my blog posts are perfect, and if you do not have time to read the bible, please don't read this. Open your bible instead.

I do not have any kind of degrees or qualifications, but I do believe that God has appointed me to teach the Gospel. This is a heavy load, and God constantly reminds me of my failure to do this even remotely close to how it deserves to be presented. I write my blog posts to express what I am learning and hope to inspire, encourage you and motivate you to grow in your relationship with the Lord.

I will make mistakes, this is why it is essential for you to be in your word. I know that God can still work in and through and despite me and my brokenness. Please read these articles with wisdom and grace.

God bless, Jenny