Friday of Holy Week: Let’s Not Waste Our Lives

April 10, 2020

Tonight’s Good Friday Worship Service

There can be no resurrection unless there is death. Meditating on Jesus’ death actually amplifies the joy of Easter Sunday.

One great way to meditate on Jesus’s death is by participating in BUMC’s Good Friday Worship Service tonight at 7 p.m.  Join in tonight’s worship!
>> Good Friday Service

DAILY READING

John 19:30 – “It is finished!”

FIELD NOTES

During this coronavirus period, I’ve collected several cartoons, one of which haunts me. In it, a man sits at a table with the sign, “Information to Save You from the Coronavirus” with a long line of people, standing and waiting. At the other table is a man with a sign, “How Jesus Can Save You.” No one is in line to learn about salvation.

Today is “Good Friday,” the day Jesus saved us through his death on the cross. On the cross, Jesus cries out, “It is finished!”

In the early morning on Good Friday, also known as Black Friday (the day Jesus died on the cross), Pilate gave the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas.  Matthew tells (27:16) us that Barabbas’ first name was Jesus and that he was a notorious prisoner.  Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19 tell us that Barabbas was a murderer and an insurrectionist. John 18:40 tells us that Barabbas was a bandit.

The crowd thus has an interesting choice: Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Barabbas; Jesus, the righteous or Jesus, the revolutionary; Jesus, the saint, or Jesus, the sinner.  The “long line of voters” chose to kill Jesus of Nazareth and set Barabbas free.

What happened to Barabbas afterward?  Some traditions say that Barabbas’ life was changed; he did not want to waste his life, knowing that it cost the life of an innocent man.  Some traditions say that Barabbas could not die until he voluntarily surrendered his life to God.  Some legends say that he died on a cross saying, “It is finished. Into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

Jesus’s death was entirely for Barabbas, you, and me. Thus, I hear Barabbas saying, “I hope you don’t waste your lives knowing that it cost the life of Jesus. Please surrender your life to Christ because he will fulfill your life.” 

Paul put it this way, “…run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What parts of your life have you wasted?
• If you do not want to waste your life knowing that it cost the life of Jesus, what will you do differently?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What are some things we waste around the house?
• What are we losing when we waste these things?
• How could we better use what we have without wasting anything?
• Answer the same “Questions for the Field.”

PRAYER GUIDE

Most loving, gracious Lord, you give us life and so many things to sustain and enjoy our lives.  Lord, help us live our lives such that we persevere in our race of life.  Help us to no longer waste anything but use all of life to glorify you.  Help us to be in a line receiving your daily salvation, helping us do our part in living through and eradicating the coronavirus. In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.