Why the Friday before Easter is significant to sinners like me

The Bible teaches that Jesus died on the cross, and on the third day — the day we celebrate Easter — he rose again from the dead, defeating death forever.

Therefore, the Friday before Easter is the day Christians remember the day that Jesus, the very Son of God, allowed himself to be falsely accused, mocked, beaten and ultimately crucified.

Jesus accepted this heinous punishment and death so that he could pay the ultimate price for sin.

The very essence of Christianity is believing that Jesus died for our sins collectively, but also for my sins alone. It was my sin for which Jesus was punished on the Cross. He took the punishment I deserve.

Sin isn’t something “other people” do. We all sin. According to Jesus, anger and lust are the equivalents of murder and adultery when held up to the perfect righteousness of God. He also said to turn the other cheek and love your enemies.

And as if these standards aren’t already impossible to meet, Jesus drew this line in the sand:

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. — Matthew 5:48

Clearly, none of us are perfect. We are sinners. I am a sinner.

Only when we confess this, does the full weight of the crucifixion start to bear down. The Bible teaches us that Jesus died for sinners like us. On the Cross, Jesus bore the full penalty for my sin and your sin.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21

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 53:6

It was my sin that held him there on the bloody Cross.

For sinners, this is why the Bible verse you see on those signs at football games is such good news.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

Jesus died for my sins.

Today, we remember that.