The goodness of Good Friday is seen nowhere more clearly than Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'”
This is the gospel. And it’s worth pausing to reflect on the blessing of Good Friday as we remember when Jesus went to that tree.
Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?
Take a few moments today to reflect on the rest of the sentence begun in Galatians 3:13. Why did Jesus die on the cross? If we keep reading, we’re told that Jesus became a curse “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:14).
A quick refresher on “the blessing of Abraham.” Refer way back to Genesis 12:2-3:
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Jesus died so that the doors of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 would be flung wide open. In Jesus, one of Abraham’s descendants, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. How could this be? Because Christ’s full and final sacrifice on the cross is laid on the basis of faith. All people can now be blessed with God’s salvation through faith in Christ.
Sharing the Blessing of Good Friday
We (at least most reading this) are the Gentiles. We are the beneficiaries of this extended blessing, poured on us because Christ’s blood was poured out. But as the beneficiaries, we are also the conduits. We are now part of Abraham’s bless-to-be-a-blessing family (Galatians 3:7). Our own faith came by hearing this good news in Christ. Similarly, others will come to faith as we tell this good news in Christ (Romans 10:17).
Today, there are still over 6,500 Gentile families who have yet to hear about the blessing of Good Friday and, subsequently, have not taken hold of the blessing through faith. So don’t let this Good Friday end with a reflection on this supernatural and glorious exchange. Rather, remember that Christ died “so that” the blessing would extend to all the earth . . . then extend it.
Radical exists to equip Christians to be on mission.
