By Andrew Hoffman
Good Friday is the anniversary of Jesus death on the cross. This devotional will guide your reflections on this special day. If you are physically able, it is recommended that you fast from solid food from morning until evening (first meal being after the sun sets). Make sure you drink lots of water, tea, etc.
Morning Devotional (20 min)
Begin
In his book Humility, Andrew Murray reflects on what had to take place inside Jesus’ spirit before going to the cross:
In the Gospel of John we have the inner life of our Lord laid open to us. Jesus speaks frequently of His relation to the Father, of the motives by which He is guided, of His consciousness of the power and spirit in which He acts. Though the word humble does not occur, we shall nowhere in Scripture see so clearly wherein His humility consisted. We have already said that this grace is in truth nothing but that simple consent of the creature to let God be all, in virtue of which it surrenders itself to His working alone. In Jesus we shall see how both as the Son of God in heaven, and as man upon earth, He took the place of entire subordination, and gave God the honor and the glory which is due to Him- And what He taught so often was made true to Himself: “He that humbleth him: shall be exalted.” As it is written, “He humbled Himself, therefore God highly exalted Him.”
Listen to the words in which our Lord speaks of His relation to the Father, and how unceasingly He uses the words not, and nothing, of Himself. The not I, in which Paul expresses his relation to Christ, is the very spirit of what Christ says of His relation the Father.
“The Son can do nothing of Himself” (John 5: 19).
“I can of My own self do nothing; My judgment is just, because I seek not Mine own will” (John 5: 30).
“I receive not glory from men” (John 5: 41).
“I am come not to do Mine own will” (John 6:38).
“My teaching is not Mine” (John 7:16)
“I am not come of Myself” (John 7:28)
“I do nothing of Myself” (John 8:28)
“I have not come of Myself, but He sent Me” (John 8: 42).
“I seek not Mine own glory” (John 8:50)
“The words that I say, I speak not from Myself” (John 14: 10).
“The word which ye hear is not Mine” (John 14: 24).
These words open to us the deepest roots of Christ’s life and work. They tell us how it was that the Almighty God was able to work His mighty redemptive work through Him. They show what Christ counted the state of heart which became Him as the Son of the Father. They teach us what the essential nature and life is of that redemption which Christ accomplished and now communicates. It is this: He was nothing, that God might be all. He resigned Himself with His will and His powers entirely for the Father to work in Him. Of His own power, His own will, and His own glory, of His whole mission with all His works and His teaching, of all this He said, It is not I; I am nothing; I have given Myself to the Father to work; I am nothing, the Father is all.
Scripture
Read Matthew 27:1-66
Prayer
Thank God for this day, for His salvation and for all the blessings you’ve received.
Lunchtime Devotional (20 min)
Begin
Begin with 30 seconds of silence, eyes closed, to slow down your spirit in the midst of the day. Try to think about as little as possible. At the end, ask God to visit with you and help you to see what He most wants to bring to light.
Scripture
As you read these Scriptures, note any verse(s) that strike you and either memorize them or write them down so that you can reflect on them throughout the afternoon (like whenever you feel a hunger pang).
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Romans 3:21-26
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, I have erred and strayed from your ways like a lost sheep. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have offended against your holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done, I have done those things which I ought not to have done. I have resented what I lack and have been jealous of my neighbors. I have misused what you intended for joy. For these things your Son Jesus Christ willingly went to the Cross. On this day, and on every day, I remember your gift. Father, thank you for giving your son. Jesus, thank you for giving your life. Spirit, thank you for teaching me the way.
Rom. 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
1 Pet. 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.
Evening Prayer
Join your brothers and sisters for corporate prayer, 6:30pm at Thousand Oaks Baptist Church (1821 Catalina Ave. Berkeley, CA 94707).
Click here to print.
Originally published for use in 2008. ©