The Story For His Glory

by Ben Gumienny

Good Friday 2020. I think it’s safe to say that we have never encountered a Holy Week quite like this before. Multitudes are shut in their homes; businesses are shut down and economies worldwide are floundering. For the first time in their history, many churches will not open their doors to commemorate the cross or celebrate the resurrection two days hence. It is a moment in history that will surely be remembered; one that will become a measuring rod and a marker to future generations. “Where were you during Covid-19? Do you remember how everything changed?”

Yet today we look back to the penultimate period in history. The cross was divinely driven through time, a stake that clove history in two. It stands as a reminder still, speaking to our present uncertainty with clarion resonance. What can we learn from the cross that speaks to the times we are in?

God has a victorious plan
How could a holy God reconcile with humankind so full of sin? How would He resolve the tension between His unconditional love and His unconditional justice? This unfathomable gulf could not be finally bridged by animal sacrifices or the law. Yet God had a plan so audacious that it could only be birthed in His wisdom. What kind of God would willingly sacrifice Himself to pay the price for our fault? Our God can see the way through even the direst crisis to victory.

God is not surprised by circumstances
The cross was not a backup plan put into effect due to the unforeseen fall of humanity. Multiple places in the New Testament describe how Christ was chosen to be slain (Rev 13:8), to give grace (2 Tim 1:9) and be our ransom (1 Pet 1:20) – all from the very foundations of the world. God foresaw the tragic moment in the garden where sin would enter the world, and Christ was chosen for the cross before the time of crisis. God knows our circumstances, and in His wisdom has provided the grace we need to face them.

God’s love is greater
Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13).” The words were spoken mere moments before He demonstrated this great love by willingly going to the cross. But the Bible also tells us that Jesus’ love was even greater than that. Romans 5:8 tells us, “God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even while we still enemies of God, trapped in our sin, Christ chose the cross. We can struggle to sacrifice for those we like, never mind those who oppose us. The cross shows us that God’s love is greater than we can understand and strong enough for our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows.

God is committed to us
What a price that was paid for our ransom! Jesus chose to enter history at the key moment, even though it would mean facing one of the worst torture methods of execution ever devised. He gave up His throne, entered frail flesh, endured the indignities of being fully human, was tempted, pressed and betrayed. Stop and read that again: all of this before Good Friday. And then the cross. Hebrews 12:2 tells us “He endured the cross, scorning its shame” because of the joy set before Him. This joy included us! (Heb 2:10) If such great sacrifice was freely given at the start to set us free, then surely “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ (Ph 1:6).” Christ has ultimately committed to us, through every valley to the very day of His return.

It is HIStory for HIS glory
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a (high) price. So glorify God with your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20) It is so easy to lose sight of this truth, especially amid chaos and suffering. On the cross, Jesus paid the highest price paid anywhere in history so that we could be reconciled with God. But the story is not ultimately about us. This was for the glory of God: “(Jesus) humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Ph 2:8-11 emphasis added).” God is at work amid our present crisis. The story is for His glory. God is calling us to align ourselves with this truth, take the focus off ourselves and seek to serve His purpose in this time. Then we will shift into the authority and power that comes from the humble obedience of dying to self.

Conclusion
On this unique Good Friday, let the cross impact your heart again. Let the precedent of this greatest sacrifice speak to these unprecedented times as you reflect on these truths that God’s plan has led us to a deeper encounter with His love, despite our circumstances. His commitment unto us will allow us to see that our lives are all interwoven with His ultimate purpose to reveal His glory to the whole earth. May the hope of His coming strengthen us to face the times that we are living in.