Good Friday? It is ironic that we call this day “Good.” Because for followers of Jesus, it was anything but good- in fact it was the worst thing that could have ever happened. The person that they followed, who promised them new life on Earth, and eternal life forever, was now hanging dead on a cross right in front of them. Any sort of hope that they had for their lives and their future was now lost and they didn’t know what to do as a result.

But Jesus came to put an end to sin’s hold over us and to make us right with God again. Which is why when Jesus said, “It is finished,” right before He died, it changed everything for the people watching and all who would believe in Him. Come find out how these very three words transform us and give us hope, perspective, and freedom in the midst of our pain, losses, struggles, and sufferings that we face. 

Look around and it's quite evident that we live in a very self-centered and prideful world. Everything is about what we need and what is best for us. It’s my opinions, my perspectives, and how I feel and think that really matters. Which is why for many, when others think differently than us, we blame them as being wrong and misguided. Pride and know it all attitudes add to continuous strife in interactions between people and “if you are not with me, well then you are against me!” This divisive posture leads us to seeing others as inferior and less than. Isn’t that why we often can see others as beneath us when they don’t agree with us politically, personally, or even socially? The culture encourages us to despise our neighbors, especially when they are not like us. But this is the total opposite of what Jesus expects and even commands of His followers. In fact, He calls us to love and serve those we disagree with, don’t like, and even those who hate us.