For many of us, Good Friday is uncomfortable, dark, and regrettable – something to gloss over. But when we stop to really look at the man on the cross, there is comfort to be found. His death has brought us life.
Jesus "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 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." Isaiah 53:3-5
We can be tempted to turn away, to shudder at the barbaric cross. In Jesus' willing sacrifice he took upon himself our grief, sin, and the punishment we deserved. On the cross, he carried the burden of broken homes and the pain of every loss. He felt the stinging tears and cries for help of every human heart.
God isn't far off, he isn't distant. Jesus knows and shares your suffering. On the cross he draws near to us and makes the way for peace between a perfect, loving God and rebels like you and me. (Romans 5:1)
Good Friday at Sound City was a beautiful time of reflection and deep joy as the people of God gathered together to worship. And on the third day, we celebrated Jesus' resurrection, his victory over sin and death.
This Easter, Pastor Aaron preached a simple gospel message: Who Is It You’re Seeking? In John 19, we saw Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene all seeking after Jesus, but for very different reasons. What are you seeking? Is it acceptance, security, or healing? Is it relief from guilt, shame, or a sense of defilement – feeling dirty?
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus offers to take all of our sin and give us his righteousness. He exchanges our shame for dignity, isolation for belonging, pain for healing, and he is generous. Salvation isn’t just a second chance, it is life abundant as we are transformed by God to live more and more like Jesus. (John 10:10)
At Sound City, we celebrated the hope we have in Jesus by gathering, singing songs of praise, and inviting others in. We prayed, enjoyed donuts, took photos, and remembered God's goodness to us. Even as we experience the sorrows and hardships of life, we know that Jesus is alive and he is making all things new again. (Job 19:25, Revelation 21:5)
Let's thank God today for this beautiful truth, for the work he is doing in and through us, and let's pray for one another that we would be strengthened to know, to trust, and to rejoice in the love of God.
If you haven't yet prayed to give your sin to Jesus in exchange for his gift of new life, I'd invite you to come to Sound City this week at the 9am or 11am service at Lynnwood High School. We would love to pray with you and answer any questions you may have.