Dan Londeree

“From death to life.” This is an idea that has captured the hearts of human beings for thousands of years. Death has been a reality since the days of Adam and Eve in the garden, and this stark reality has moved people to seek for something beyond this life. However, we humans also have a penchant for seeking a better version of the life we are currently living. Eternal life isn’t enough; we want a better life now.

‌This is why the Gospel is so incredibly captivating. The Good News that is God’s plan of redemption addresses both:  our future eternity and our life in the present. All of this is wrapped up in the compelling idea of bringing forth life from death.

‌On this Good Friday morning, we should spend a few moments reflecting on what our Savior experienced on this day approximately 2,000 years ago. He had spent the previous night with his twelve disciples as he transitioned the Passover meal into a new tradition … a commemoration of a new covenant between God and people … something we now call “communion” or “the Lord’s supper.”

‌He prayed in a garden in Jerusalem, called “Gethsemane.” This Greek name comes from the combination of the Hebrew words for “press” and “oils” because this location had a press that would allow local farmers to produce olive oil. It is no coincidence that Jesus is described as experiencing extreme pressure in this location, from what he knew would be difficult hours ahead. This stress and pressure caused him to sweat drops of blood. Although the disciples who were with him drifted to sleep, Jesus did not. He prayed for them and for all who would come to know him through their witness.

‌In the darkness of the early morning hours on that Friday, he was arrested in the garden and brought before Annas and Caiaphas where he endured an unjust trial by these Jewish authorities. Before dawn, he was brought before the Roman governor Pilate, then sent to the Jewish king Herod, then back to Pilate. By now the light of day had broken through the darkness, and a crowd of people had formed outside of Pilate’s house. They demanded that Jesus be executed based on the accusations of blasphemy that had been made against him. 

‌Pilate gave in and ordered Jesus to be beaten and then taken to Golgotha, the “place of the skull,” where Roman crucifixions were carried out. At approximately 9 a.m., Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a wooden cross and lifted it into place. They crucified two other convicted criminals as well. After suffering for six hours, Jesus, in a moment of anguish, cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He then said, “It is finished,” and breathed his last breath at 3 p.m.

‌The reality of death had come, even for the Son of God. As a child, I often wondered about this. My family attended a small church near our home and I learned many of the main Bible stories that most children do. But of course I was most captivated by Jesus. He did so much good during his three years of ministry. He healed people, taught them about God’s kingdom, challenged the authorities who had led people astray. He was the way, the truth and the life. Why did he have to die? Why did God allow him to be put to death in this way? It didn’t make sense to me.

‌Until a day came that the Gospel came alive in my heart. His death was not a tragedy. His life wasn’t taken from him. The Jewish authorities, the crowd of people, the Romans … none of these people ended his life and ministry prematurely.

‌This was the plan all along. And Jesus knew this. He even told his disciples this beforehand, though they did not understand.

As it turns out, new life does not come without the death of the old. A new covenant is not established without the end of the old. And the death of Jesus did just that. His willing sacrifice ended the practice of the Old Testament Law and his blood opened the way for all people to be restored to a right relationship with the Father. His resurrection on the third day achieved victory over sin, the grave, the enemy. He was brought from death on Friday to new life on Sunday. And those of us who have responded to this in faith have moved from death, to life. That new life begins the moment we give our lives to follow Jesus, and it continues into an eternity that we will spend with him.

‌Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24

‌‌For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 5:10

so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:21

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

We have been redeemed through the blood of Christ, and have new life through the power of his resurrection. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us gives us new life now, and forever. While on this day we remember the death of our Lord, we also embrace the truth that his death and resurrection has brought new life for all who believe. And that truth gives us joy that transcends the circumstances of life.