On a missions trip to the Baltic several years ago, I was able to visit a place called Kryžių kalnas, or the Hill of Crosses in Northern Lithuania. It was a fascinating place with over 100,000 crosses placed all over this hill. You can read more about it here. I was visiting the Baltic’s with a group of Pastors from America. We were traveling with the leaders of Eurasia Northwest. We were there with one mission. How can we help fund/support a church planting movement in the Baltic to establish the church where it’s not?  How can we support the current missionaries and church planters to reach these “unreached” countries? The Baltic remains one of the most unchurched places in the world with each country ranging from 97-99% of its population unchurched.  As I walked around the Hill of Crosses I observed the crosses placed there. The I remember thinking to myself,  how can this country have this iconic place where there are over 100,000 crosses and not know the impact of what happened on that cross?

It is Good Friday today. But what does that actually mean to me? As a follower of Jesus, sometimes liturgical events throw me off. I’m never a fan of, “this is what we do today because that is what we have always done.”  I think ritual and religious observances can take away the meaning of days like today if we don’t stop and reflect why we have them in the first place.   Today I am asking the question to myself, why does Good Friday matter to me? How does that impact my day? In an attempt to work it out for myself, I thought I’d let you in on my journey. Here is what I will think on and do today. Maybe it will help you.

Good Friday is a day to reflect and remember. It is a day that we are to remember and reflect that Jesus died for us in our place. He suffered an insane amount and even died so I could be made whole. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; he punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV  Today I will honor Jesus by resting in the peace that He suffered for me to have. 

Today I will remember that I don’t have to work hard to be right with God. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV  I now have access to righteousness! What does that even mean? It means when God looks at me and sees me, He sees me just as perfect as Jesus was. That only happens because Jesus took our place on that cross.

Now for some practical advice. Here are some things I will do today. I will read the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection in the Bible. I will hug my kids tighter and color some eggs with them. I will hug my kids a little tighter because without that cross I would not be the father I was destined to be.  I will text my pastor friends that I’m praying for them to preach the good news of Jesus this Sunday!  Sometime today our family will take communion and talk about what Jesus’ death means to us.  I want to describe that moment…it will be chill.  No need for me to try to convey the heaviness of the cross. I believe the Holy Spirit can give my kids a revelation of God in a way I never could. I just want to create an opportunity for Him to do so. We will just talk about how Jesus gave his life for us and how He loves us.

I’m super thankful for Jesus today. For what He did for me.  And for what He did for you. I’m praying for you today. That you too will experience the peace that He paid for! That you will hug your friends and family, or send them a text.  You and I are whole because of Him. We can receive and give love because of Him. That is good Friday.