Better Than A Black Friday Deal

It’s “Black Friday.” For years it was only something we heard about in the States.  Some people crossed the border to shop on that day but for the most part it was something “off in the distance.”  Not any more.

Black Friday sales appeared online and in stores starting weeks ago and continue.  Now, as good as any Black Friday deal might be, there’s an infinitely better deal offered to us that we celebrate on a Friday – Good Friday. 

Jesus Christ offered His perfect life in sacrifice for the punishment of  we deserved for our sins.  God demonstrated the greatness of His love for us by buying us back from the hand of the evil one who seeks only to steal, kill, and destroy.  And so today we pause to remember and to give thanks for what Jesus Christ has done for us.

At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:6-8

We are stopped dead in our tracks, so to speak, in amazement, Lord Jesus, at the depth of Your love for us.  While we didn't care, while we scorned You and Your involvement in the earth and our lives You acted on our behalf at huge personal cost. 

You were misunderstood and misjudged.  You were beaten and mocked.  You were discriminated against, falsely accused and even though an innocent man, You were condemned to death. 

Until the last moment you could have escaped becoming sin and the death and separation from Your Father that resulted, but You voluntarily laid down Your life. 

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. 

John 10:17-18

We receive what You did for us on the cross, Jesus.  We receive the forgiveness, the new life, the hope for today and for eternity.  We receive all the love and grace that sustains us through all the ups and downs of life. This truly is the deal of a lifetime for us.  Amen

Well, whenever we see Black Friday sales today I trust it will help us remember God’s amazing deal offered to all of us today.  Let’s give thanks ourselves and pray for others who need to know about and get in on this Good Friday deal.