Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Good Friday: Crucified Christ- The Way to Eternal Life
Hebrews 3:1-19
“For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.” (v. 14)
When I was in college, I recall watching the movie Passion of the Christ. When I first watched the movie, it moved me quite profoundly as I was able to view a narration of the crucifixion in video form. Until then, my understanding came from the bible and studying the scriptures. I remember my parish vicar, in a sermon at that time, mentioning that what you saw in the movie is nothing compared to what Christ had experienced. His suffering was more immense and beyond our human understanding. It was at that moment I realized that as Christians, we have oftentimes not understood the gravity of the suffering of Christ on the cross, or even understood His death in the way we are supposed to. We, as the faithful, are called to seek Him for who He is, our rock and our salvation – in whose name we place our faith, hope, and trust.
Today, as we commemorate Good Friday, the day when death died, let us re-examine ourselves and see if we have truly treated Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. The eternal life comes through Him (St. John 3:16). The liturgical action of prostration is often done, especially during Passion Week, collectively as a faith community, along with our regular drawing of the sign of the cross. These are all parts of our spiritual discipline. As we engage in these liturgical actions and worship, we are remembering Christ’s journey to the cross, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. As we worship, we are remembering this, and responding through worship, by surrendering ourselves to the Lord and seeking His mercy. We are doing this together as a faith community.
When we worship together, we are not only meditating on Christ’s crucifixion or sacrifice, but we are also engaging in this experience as a faith community. This experience is salvific and enables the faith community to understand the truth of eternal life through Jesus Christ. When we worship, we also work together as “partners of the Kingdom of God.” Therefore, worship and sacraments not only provide spiritual fulfillment, but they also empower us to proclaim the eternal life as revealed through Jesus Christ, to the world. This is where worship and mission intersect, and this enables our Christian life and faith to be more meaningful. On this Good Friday, may we find meaning in Christ and the Cross, and may we rededicate ourselves to working with others for the building up of the Holy Church and extension of God’s Kingdom.
Today, as we commemorate Good Friday, the day when death died, let us re-examine ourselves and see if we have truly treated Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. The eternal life comes through Him (St. John 3:16). The liturgical action of prostration is often done, especially during Passion Week, collectively as a faith community, along with our regular drawing of the sign of the cross. These are all parts of our spiritual discipline. As we engage in these liturgical actions and worship, we are remembering Christ’s journey to the cross, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. As we worship, we are remembering this, and responding through worship, by surrendering ourselves to the Lord and seeking His mercy. We are doing this together as a faith community.
When we worship together, we are not only meditating on Christ’s crucifixion or sacrifice, but we are also engaging in this experience as a faith community. This experience is salvific and enables the faith community to understand the truth of eternal life through Jesus Christ. When we worship, we also work together as “partners of the Kingdom of God.” Therefore, worship and sacraments not only provide spiritual fulfillment, but they also empower us to proclaim the eternal life as revealed through Jesus Christ, to the world. This is where worship and mission intersect, and this enables our Christian life and faith to be more meaningful. On this Good Friday, may we find meaning in Christ and the Cross, and may we rededicate ourselves to working with others for the building up of the Holy Church and extension of God’s Kingdom.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest gift we received, that is Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. May we understand the true meaning of the cross, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we would lead more genuine Christian lives, and be empowered to be Your witnesses. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
If we truly understand the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice, our response will be out of our love and devotion to the Lord. We will be inspired to work with others for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
Thought for the Day
If we truly understand the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice, our response will be out of our love and devotion to the Lord. We will be inspired to work with others for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
Rev. Dennis Abraham
Vicar, Austin Mar Thoma Church & San Antonio Mar Thoma Congregation
Vicar, Austin Mar Thoma Church & San Antonio Mar Thoma Congregation