This is part five of my Easter 2008 notes.

It is now Good Friday. Over 2000 years and we continue to observe the day Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. I wonder if the disciples realized this was coming when they heard Jesus tell them,

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

It's hard to imagine our perfect Savior having to do this. Yet, it had to happen. It's the fulfillment of the scripture, the fulfillment of the promises of God.

Jesus' death on the cross, which paid for our sin, represents the complete opposite characteristics of The Way we should live.

His way is peace and joy, the cross was unusual cruelty and stress.

His way unites, the intention of His killers was to separate Him from the world.

His way is unselfishness, he was innocent but the people selfishly convicted Him.

His way is gentle, yet he was beaten and nailed to a tree.

His way is freedom, but he was nailed to a cross - unable to move and breathe.

His way brings eternal life, the crucifixion was an awful death.

If we didn't know the rest of the story, if we weren't told of the empty tomb of Easter, this would be the end of Jesus' ministry. It would have started out with a miracle of turning water into delicious wine at a wedding. What started out at a celebration would have ended with sour wine. John 19:30 says, "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' and bowing His head, he gave up His spirit."

On Good Friday we reflect on our Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. The Good Shepherd who seemingly gave up His spirit in death actually died so that we could be saved and by believing in Him receive His Spirit.

Good Friday is not something just to honor and observe one Friday a year. Good Friday should not be the one day a year where we quietly reflect on our God. We should spend quiet time with the Lord every day. It should change the way we think and act every day. It should give us daily motivation to glorify God in all we say and do. Easter is coming! Because Easter is almost here, we can live each day in the inspirational shadow of the Cross.