Did you know that the greatest act of love happened one Friday on the cross? Welcome to our series of Holy Week devotions. On this Good Friday, let us reflect on the great love of Jesus Christ for us.

Nang magtatanghaling-tapat na, hanggang sa ikatlo ng hapon, nagdilim sa buong lupain. Nawalan ng liwanag ang araw at ang tabing ng Templo’y napunit sa gitna. Sumigaw nang malakas si Jesus, “Ama, sa mga kamay mo’y ipinagkakatiwala ko ang aking espiritu!” At pagkasabi nito, nalagot ang kanyang hininga. 

Lucas 23:44–46

“It all started in 1985, when I fell from the third floor of a building and miraculously escaped death. At that moment, I made a vow to God that I will make a sacrifice to pay for my second life; I wanted to do that by re-enacting the act of the crucifixion as thanksgiving,” these were the words of Ruben Enaje. Since 1986, people in Pampanga have watched him join the Senakulo and get nailed to a cross. While he may have sincere intentions, his panata is but a poor imitation of the real thing.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross. In Titus 2:14 (NIV), we read that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own.” Ultimately, hindi si Pontius Pilate, ang religious leaders, or ang Romans ang dahilan ng pagkamatay Niya. Jesus  voluntarily laid down His own life on our behalf. He did this out of love.

He also had to die so He could redeem us. All of us are like slaves needing to be redeemed out of bondage and to be set free. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34, ESV). Si Jesus mismo ang nagbayad for our freedom. The Apostle Peter said, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19, NIV).

What day is today? Good Friday. This day can only be called good because of what Jesus has done.

May you always be reminded of Christ’s  love for you which He proved on the cross. Join us again tomorrow for another reflection on the last days of Jesus here on Earth.