Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Tomorrow Christians commemorate “Good Friday.”  We recognize that Christ willingly gave His life as Atonement for our sins.  He was placed upon the cross…placed?  No, He was not placed; He was nailed upon the cross.  He was nailed there after having been beaten and mocked and suffering through a sham of a trial.  He came unto His own and His own received Him not.  He was rejected.  He was crucified and gave His life on that day as punishment for sin.  I started to say we “celebrate” Good Friday rather than “commemorate” Good Friday.  In some ways, I am not so sure if that word celebrate applies.  I have so many emotions that go through my heart and my mind when I contemplate what occurred on that day.  I am saddened by His suffering and humbled by the knowledge that my own misdeeds and sins made His very sacrifice necessary.  Celebrate?  In some ways it is difficult.  Yet, in another I celebrate that God commended His love toward me in that while I was still a sinner Christ died for me!  In the midst of my rebellion, in the depths of my unbelief, before I ever knew Him – He went to the cross for me!  He gave His life and rose again on the third day!  He was pierced for my transgressions!  He is my Savior!  His punishment has brought me peace with God!  It is a Good Friday!