Good Morning School,
Journey back with me to Calvary, a hill just outside Jerusalem, to watch the scene unfold. As we approach the hill we see three crude, wooden crosses. On the two outside crosses, there are two criminals, hanging in intense agony as payment for their crimes. But on the middle cross hangs an innocent man. His pain has come through no fault of His own. He is suffering for the sins of the wicked world. He is Jesus Christ.
Now listen to the hymn which tells about the cross of Jesus Christ and His sufferings.
The most encouraging words from the hymn are “Some day I will exchange my cross for a crown, till then I will cling to the old rugged cross”.
Hymn: On a hill far away.
The Scripture portion for today’s assembly is taken from Isaiah 53 verses 5 and 6.
He was wounded for our trangressions. He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
We are all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way: and the Lord had laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This is the Word of the Lord.
The inspirational reading : The Cross of Jesus Christ.
On the cross of Calvary Jesus was beaten, wounded, crushed, humiliated and tortured.
Indeed He took all the punishments that we deserved.
The great sacrifice made by Lord Jesus Christ at the Cross of Calvary transformed the degrading punishment into the most wonderful event for the mankind. And the cross, the instrument of extreme disgrace and shame has now become an object of utmost respect.
The cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love and forgiveness of God.
The Cross on Calvary stands for satan’s defeat by our savior.
The Cross provides the only safe crossing into eternity.
We can trust in His work on the Cross and receive eternal life.
Good Friday- Among all the 365 days of a year, only one day is called as a good day all over the world, That is Good Friday. Have you wondered why the Friday on which Christ died is called A Good Friday?
Jesus who was Innocent was punished like a guilty.
He who was the Lion was slaughtered like a sheep.
Consider the Pharisees and their motives.
For them it was a predetermined Murder. But it was actually a predestined sacrifice.
They thought they were taking His life.
Death was their goal but Life was the outcome.
Because God had other plans.
He made ONE DAY that Affects all of Eternity and turned the wounds of ONE into healing for Many.
So at the cross we can hand over our sins and exchange for Righteousness.
At the Cross we can lay down our burden and pick up freedom.
The enemy thought it’s going to be a Bad Day and the end of Jesus But he was happy only for two days.
On the third day when Jesus rose from the grave, it became a Good Day and it is actually just the beginning of Eternal life.
May be that’s why we call it “GOOD FRIDAY”.
Thought for the day:
The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God.
Remembering the death of Christ on the cross should cause us to live for Him.
Let us pray: Our Gracious Heavenly Father,we thank you for your precious blood shed on the cross for the dying world.We thank and praise you for your love towards mankind.
Lord, help us to acknowledge the sacrifice you have done for us and live a life which is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ most precious name I pray.Amen.
Let us continue with the Lord’s prayer: Our Father …Stand to attnetion for the school song.
Thank you. Have a blessed day.