April 3 (Good Friday)

The Once-for-All Sacrifice

Scripture Reading Isaiah 53:4–6; Hebrews 9:26

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

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 53:4–6)

But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:26)

Morning Reflection

Good Friday has a certain stillness to it. 

It’s not that nothing is happening; rather, it’s that everything is unfolding in a profound way. 

The Gospels take a moment to pause here. The words are few, and the details are minimal. We’re not given a lot of explanations; instead, we’re simply presented with the cross. Isaiah helps us understand what’s taking place in that moment. 

“He has borne our griefs.” 

“He has carried our sorrows.” 

“He was pierced for our transgressions.” 

These aren’t just poetic phrases; they’re deep truths that we need to absorb slowly. Good Friday reminds us that Jesus doesn’t keep His distance from our pain. He steps right into it, shouldering what we can’t bear. He takes on what we can’t seem to shake off. 

This includes our sin, but it also encompasses our shame, grief, sorrow, and fear. All of it. Isaiah tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Not just some of us, but all of us. We wander off, turning inward and choosing our own paths—sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, and often with the best of intentions. 

And the Lord places all of that burden on Him. This is where many of us start to feel uncomfortable. We find it easier to discuss love than sin, and more comfortable to talk about forgiveness than the cost it entails. Yet, Good Friday doesn’t let us separate these two concepts.

Love comes with a price here. Forgiveness isn’t something you can just take for granted. Peace is something you have to seek out. The book of Hebrews sheds light on why this is so important. Jesus isn’t just another sacrifice among many; He shows up “once for all.” Not over and over again. Not just for a little while. Not in bits and pieces. 

Once. 

For all. 

That means there’s nothing more to add. No extra payment needed. No debts hanging over our heads. No tasks left unfinished. 

This can be tough for us to wrap our heads around because we’re so used to earning things. We feel the need to prove ourselves, to make up for our mistakes, and to carry guilt long after we’ve been forgiven. Good Friday reminds us to let go of what’s already been taken care of. Jesus isn’t on the cross waiting for us to get better. He doesn’t suffer to push us toward better behavior. He suffers to complete something. 

“It is finished,”He will declare. 

And He truly means it. So today isn’t about trying harder. It’s not about feeling intense emotions. It’s not about punishing ourselves. It’s about receiving. Receiving forgiveness that you didn’t earn. Receiving peace that you didn’t create. Receiving mercy that you couldn’t secure on your own. 

If you’re feeling unworthy today, know that you’re not alone. If you feel exposed, that’s okay. If you feel quiet, that might just be perfect. Good Friday doesn’t rush us. It invites us to pause. To gaze at the cross. And to allow Jesus to carry what we can finally set down.

Reflection inspired by John Stott, The Cross of Christ — on the finality of Christ’s sacrifice; J. I. Packer, Knowing God — on assurance secured by the cross

Songs

• Modern: Behold The Lamb

• Hymn: Where You There When They Crucified My Lord

Morning Prayer

O Lamb of God,

You carried what I could not.

You bore my sin and my sorrow.

I lay down my striving.

I receive Your mercy.

I rest in what You have finished.

Amen.

Adapted fromThe Valley of Vision, “Love Luster”

Stations, by Audrey Frank Anastasi