Good Friday

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 53:6 (ESV)

Good Friday is a religious observance primarily by the Church, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Observed on the Friday of Holy Week, Christians all around the globe gather and recapitulate what's been dubbed "The Seven Last Words" or "The Seven Last Sayings" uttered by Jesus, as preserved in the gospel writings, during the final and agonizing 6 hours of his life on the cross from approximately 9 AM to 3 PM.

Conveyed within these last seven sayings are spiritual principles germane to understanding the message of the gospel. In these seven sayings, we find the purpose and power of the gospel; we visit the scene and are allowed to hear the conversation and conversion of a criminal; we learn of a familial connection cemented by this cross; we hear the tortured cry of one cursed for another; we are given confidence in the fulfillment of Scripture; we hear the acclamation of a victor; and we hear the unshakeable confidence of a surrendered sovereign soul.

Take a moment to reflect back almost 2000 years ago to the precursor of the resurrection, to the place of reconciliation and redemption, and hear the voice from the cross. Click link to Seminary Now videos on the Last Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross. These videos offer insight from well-respected New Testament scholars.

1. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) | https://youtu.be/Shq_L4KMtwA?si=uUfbnx5jk74OSCWk
2. "This day you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) | https://youtu.be/5GVbEFnJXyk?si=Y_DV9sXvnyuqm3WI
3. "Woman, here is your son...[John] here is your mother." (John 19:26-27) | https://youtu.be/Lc1AcGTVxWc?si=S0VsmBFnPw4pO4r8
4. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46) | https://youtu.be/BjJ4_x6xHBU?si=FtH6jJwZWQWuNiA8
5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28) | https://youtu.be/c_b3kA1xnFY?si=2oGXhDqBhrLsWkFp
6. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46) | https://youtu.be/Dej8W09hUcE?si=CMJPnSBHaNN3P7mD
7. "It is finished." (John 19:30) | https://youtu.be/HkYGEC8ktZo?si=w95DwFLE-XcBGiTO                                                                                                                                                                                  Without the cross there is no Christianity. The preaching of the cross and the death of Christ is the center of the Christian gospel message.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:23-24 (KJV)

Copyright © 2024 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven III is Principal of Johnson Beaven III Ministries LLC. He serves in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) as Executive Secretary and Director of Education in the International Department of Evangelism, and Chairman of District Superintendents in the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction. He's also a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. He is a former pastor, local site coordinator and instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program. For information, check Linktree. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @jbeaven and @jbiiiministries.

Make It A Happy New Year

Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:15 NKJV

Being still in the month of January, let me start out saying—"Happy New Year!" But what will make it happy? Maybe wishful thoughts that all of the past year’s troubles will somehow mysteriously disappear with prospects of all things becoming new. It may be the birth of a child, being in good health, having a great family, or being gainfully employed.

For some, the New Year has not started with what we typically ascribe to happiness. Someone is wondering how their family is going to make it through the first month of the New Year. Some may have spent the first few weeks in the hospital visiting a severely-ill family member, or at home tending to the care of a family member. Others have or may experience the loss of a spouse, having to endure the emotional pain and grieve all year long.

If your New Year has started with a bang, I'm sure your friends celebrate with you. If your New Year started with a boom, hopefully someone has cried alongside with you. Regardless of how it started, God is concerned and cares for you whether you have many friends or no friends at all. God will be there with you all year through.