Without Good Friday...

To most of this world, this day will pass like any other without any recognition at all, and yet, this day commemorates why Jesus came.

Why is this day largely ignored?  Because of what Christ has done for us.  And acknowledging that requires a realization of our own sinfulness, the selfishness that messes up our lives and takes God's rightful place in our hearts.

Jesus did not die because I am a good person.  "But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5.8  He came to earth and died because we cannot save ourselves.  He paid the price.  "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins."  Hebrews 9.22

Christ's followers thought this was the end.  They expected a great political overthrow.  And now, here He was, dying on a humiliating cross.

They forgot the ancient prophecies about the coming Messiah that revealed how they would recognize Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote 800 years before Christ:

For He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on Him
          the iniquity of us all.

                             Isaiah 53. 5-6

Christ did not call for political revolution, but a call for personal repentance.  Little did they realize, that is where the revolution of hearts begins.

So also the chief priests,
with the scribes and elders,
mocked Him, saying,
"He saved others;
He cannot save Himself.
He is the king of Israel;
let Him come down now
        from the cross,
and we will believe in Him.

                  Matthew 27. 41-42

But if Jesus had come down
             from the cross,
if He had not died for our sins,
        He would not be our Savior.
That is why He came,
because He loves us that much.

Without Good Friday,
   there would not be Easter.