I had a chat this week with a friend at the gym and was reminded of words he had spoken about two years ago. I felt it would be timely and hopefully encouraging to revisit that conversation and the thoughts it triggered, so here we go:
Last Monday was typical with my usual lunch visit to the gym for a workout. Monday can be a hard gym day if for no other reason than the weekend is over and we are back at it! I usually have a conversation with a guy who is a gym regular (I’ll call him Bob) and we often discuss getting the Monday workout behind us. This week was no exception as Bob and I talked it over. As he was leaving, Bob made a remark that went something like, “you know the good thing about Monday is that it’s only four days ’til Friday”. Only gym talk but this simple chit-chat brought some additional thoughts to my mind.
It was during a week like this that Jesus, God’s Son, was thinking about an upcoming Friday. His weekend plans had been made before any humans were around. You might imagine that a weekend so long in the planning would have to be the most unique and astounding weekend you’ve ever heard about. And, in fact, it was a week and weekend like no other in the history of mankind. The Bible and the Book of Matthew, beginning with Chapter 21, and on to the end is a great place to check out the events, anticipation, and culmination of this weekend.
I have actually had a unique week which included surgery, but I can look forward with hope because of celebrating what the truth of today and the rest of this weekend means for my future. Through the experiences of everyday living we are reminded that life is fleeting and very fragile.
And never in history have we been so inundated and constantly bombarded with a lot of words from those who claim to have the answers to all our woes. Long meaningless rants and narratives supporting differing opinions. On Friday of the week as recorded in Matthew and other places in scripture, Jesus also shared some words. He shared the most important words to ever be spoken by a person and He only used 3. Here are His closing remarks:
“It Is Finished”
Jesus had given his life to rescue us. That was His Friday plan. We don’t know when our “Friday” may come but it will come. Take time to discover what He meant by these 3 words, and how this truth changed the world forever.
The opening behind me leads into an empty tomb. This is in a garden area a few hundred yards from a hill known as Golgotha. It was on that hill that Jesus completed His Friday work.
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Dear friends, a wonderful message today Good Friday. The day in which Jesus immolates himself for all the men of the universe, the day on which our life begins again, the day in which we have begun to walk like authentic children of God.
My plan for Friday is like every day that God lets me live in this earthly life: Love God and love the beings that live in this place called Earth.
Happy Easter
Dolores
Querido y dulce amigo, ¡Feliz Pascua! ¡Qué gloriosa celebración de nuestro Salvador resucitado! ¡Espero que su día esté lleno del amor y la alegría de Dios! ¡Asistiremos a la iglesia y luego almorzaremos con mis cuñados! ¡No puedo esperar a ver a Ella Mae con su hermoso vestido! Amor y abrazos, Pam
This is beautiful. Thank you for such thoughtful words and words to consider not just this weekend but always.
Wishing you a full and complete recovery, Butch! And a very beautiful and blessed Easter to you both.
Thank you Jeanie, Butch is recovering very well. Easter blessings to you!
Butch, thank you for this most beautiful post on this most special day. Many blessings to you and yours!
Thank you, Sandra! Easter blessings!
Powerful message and so well expressed, Butch. Last night my church held Maundy Thursday services where the ministers washed our feet, just as Christ did for His disciples. I will admit I had never attended a service like this before, and the thought freaked me out a little. But it was one of the most powerful and beautiful services I have ever attended (very first service in our new church!). Glad your surgery is behind you, and prayers for your speedy recovery.
Roxanne, what a beautiful service it must have been. It is a great way to start in your new church facility! Jesus example of washing his disciples feet is the example of servanthood. When we serve as your ministers did, we are showing the example of Christ! Servants are a rare breed in our “me first” society! I can’t wait to read of your Easter service in your new building! He Is Risen!
Good morning my very dear friends!
It has been a long time since I got to look at your post so early in the day! My days are often long and stressful, and they start early. My office is closed today, so as I sat here with my cup of coffee, I had a chance to enjoy the posts of my friends.
Butch’s words brought tears because it made me stop and think. It is a reminder that life is indeed fleeting & fragile. But it is also a reminder to use the time that has been gifted to us, wisely. Once that time has been used, and gone, it can never be retrieved!
Thanks, Pam & Butch, for your faithful & timely reminders!
? love you much!
Esther, I am glad your office was closed on Good Friday and you had time to enjoy your day! Esther, you have been such an encourager for writing this blog. Our prayer is that God would continue to use it for His glory! We love you dear friend, and Happy Easter…He Is Risen!
Than you Butch for a reminder of why we celebrate Easter. It is the most wonderful gift ever given to man.
Amen, Alice! He Is Risen! Happy Easter!
Well done , mate. Good to read your innermost thoughts, get well soon, from Australia. I’m flat out writing the whole of Easter week it seems. So much to think about.
Running, Acerules, and hubby.
Thank you for your good wishes. The hubby is recovering!
First of all, Butch, I hope that your surgery went well and no more surgery is needed. Now to the post. Your words are very thought provoking. Good Friday is a most important day. If Jesus had been unwilling to die on the Cross for us, we would be lost forever. We feel such sorrow at His death, but because of His resurrection, our sorrow when loved ones die is replaced with the knowledge that we will see them again. So our sorrow becomes joy with the Resurrection…Easter. Thank you, Butch, for your beautiful message. Betty
Thank you Betty, Butch is recovering very well. Your thoughts are spot on. Without Jesus dying on the cross, we would be lost forever. But praise His name, he paid the sacrifice and willingly died on the cross, but on the first day of the week, Hallelujah He arose. We celebrate a risen Christ! Happy Easter!
Glory to God, and thank You Jesus for Your love. What an Amazing love that He has for us! He who was Without sin faced and endured the cross for us. I am SO thankful and humbled. Jesus the Christ who is SO much (including my Savior) is AWESOME. Thank you for this very moving post, and Happy upcoming Resurrection Sunday.
In Christ,
Paula
I pray that surgery went well and that you are quickly on the road to your healing in Jesus Name.
Thank you Paula, surgery went well and he is recovering, Happy Easter
God bless you and yours…Thanks for sharing…
Thank you Maristella! Blessings ~
Thank you Butch, for a profound and meaningful post. As you adeptly expressed what Good Friday means for all of us reflections on our lives and what today means for us is important.
Hope you are recovering well. Mike had that surgery, also.
Blessings to you and your family. Have a blessed Easter.
Thanks so much Bonnie! Happy Easter to you and Mike! He Is Risen!
Butch, you have taken your friend’s words and presented us with several meaningful truths. The truth is time is fleeting and our Friday will come ….and Praise God for the greatest truth…the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Thank you and I pray you heal well from your surgery. Happy Easter to all of you.
Thanks so much, sweet friend! We wish you and Bob and your precious family a Happy Easter! He Is Risen!
What a beautiful and meaningful post this Good Friday! I hope you both have a blessed Easter weekend!!!
Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter!
A lovely post, Pam. What Jesus really gave us is a path to follow. The challenge is doing it. Happy Easter.
Amen, Linda! Easter blessings~
Great post Pam, I hope all is well with your surgery!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. My husband is recovering nicely!
Praise God!
Jennifer