We are prone to...
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We are prone to ignore or take Good Friday for granted most of the time. Martin Luther makes this observation: "Nevertheless, the dear, pleasure-loving world goes merrily along, takes none of this to heart, is lazy, cold, unthankful, and despises this great treasure" (Complete Sermons, Vol. 5, p. 473).
This is not surprising given what we know of American public opinion. As recently as in 2000 a Barna Research Group poll revealed that 74% of Americans believe that God helps those who help themselves. You don't need the Cross as much when you are still good enough to help yourself.
Why then do we need Christ on the Cross? John Calvin says that we need it for the Cross of Christ "condemns every thing that men dare to attempt out of their own fancy..." (Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. XVIII/1, p. 194). John Wesley refers to it as the occasion for Christ "bearing our griefs" (Works, Vol. 5, p. 55). All the sadnesses of life are today placed on Christ. In a similar vein Martin Luther comments on how comforting it is that Christ went to the Cross: "But Christ takes our place and innocently endures death, terror, and hell, so that through him and in him we escape all this" (Complete Sermons, Vol. 5, pp. 402-403).
Good Friday makes us escaped cons from the prisons of hell, death, and the terrors of life.
This is not surprising given what we know of American public opinion. As recently as in 2000 a Barna Research Group poll revealed that 74% of Americans believe that God helps those who help themselves. You don't need the Cross as much when you are still good enough to help yourself.
Why then do we need Christ on the Cross? John Calvin says that we need it for the Cross of Christ "condemns every thing that men dare to attempt out of their own fancy..." (Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. XVIII/1, p. 194). John Wesley refers to it as the occasion for Christ "bearing our griefs" (Works, Vol. 5, p. 55). All the sadnesses of life are today placed on Christ. In a similar vein Martin Luther comments on how comforting it is that Christ went to the Cross: "But Christ takes our place and innocently endures death, terror, and hell, so that through him and in him we escape all this" (Complete Sermons, Vol. 5, pp. 402-403).
Good Friday makes us escaped cons from the prisons of hell, death, and the terrors of life.
