Every Good Friday, we relive the Passion of Christ through the stories told in our homes and at church. The account of the death and resurrection of Jesus elicits a variety of feelings and emotions. Throughout the Easter season, we observe the story played out in movies, discussed at Bible studies, and preached from the pulpit in church. 

The story of the crucifixion and the description of our Lord’s pain and suffering can make us shudder. Just thinking of the crown of thorns and the nails put into His hands and feet can overwhelm us. But, do we truly understand the deeper meaning of the Cross? It was a selfless act of both mercy and grace, paying a debt that we could not pay. There is nothing we can do to cover our sin nature. Jesus’ blood spilled at the Cross was the ultimate act of redemption. The crucifixion gives us hope for eternity. 

When we look at the Cross, we reflect upon the agonizing, sorrowful pain that our Lord went through. But we should also see it as a symbol of ultimate love, knowing that no matter what we have done, God is saying, “I love you and I will forgive you.” Once we accept this gift of love, He promises that no one will ever snatch us out of His hands (John 10: 28-29 NLT).