Isaiah 52:13-53
Hebrew 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 18:1-19,42
Whenever we mention “Good Friday” the first impression we have is the cross.
Obviously that is the most recognizable and easily understood symbol of Good Friday.
Simply because Jesus died on the Cross on Good Friday.
The gospel recounted for us how Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by his own disciples, how he was rejected and condemned by His own people, and how He suffered and eventually died on the cross.
Today we are also reminded that Jesus suffered and died for us even though we are still sinners.
Jesus is the Son of God. That means that Jesus is God.
He didn’t have to go through all that suffering and painful death.
Yet, Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross because He loves us and He will love us right to the end.
Furthermore, His love for us is an unconditional love.
Nothing can ever separate His love for us.
So even when we are struggling with sins like hatred and unforgiveness, or selfishness and greed, or lust and impure actions, Jesus will still love us.
Jesus wants us to know that His love for us will help us turn away from sin and turn back to Him in love.
Hence the cross symbolizes the unconditional and everlasting love of Jesus for us sinners.
Later, we will come forward to venerate the cross.
Let us tell Jesus that we love Him and we need His love to help us become loving persons.
Let us also ask Jesus to be merciful to us and forgive our sins.
The cross is indeed a sign of God’s love for us, a sign of God’s mercy and compassion for us.
In the cross, we will find salvation, in the cross we will find healing and strength.
Let us thank Jesus for loving us and saving us as we venerate the cross.