Yesterday was Good Friday. It isn't called "Good Friday" because its the last day in the week. It is named that in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Son of God. What's the big deal? Jesus Christ became our "whipping boy" and took our punishment. Several centuries ago, it wasn't unheard of among rich families that there would be a slave that would take the punishment for whatever transgressions the child of the owner would do. Normally this would involve whipping or some other form of capital punishment. In Jewish sacrifices, there were specific rites where sins were laid upon a goat and set free. This is in addition to the bloody sacrifices for the sins of the people. The goats and the whipping boys were there to take the punishment for the people. This is exactly what Christ did.

It is fitting that Christ became man, in the form of a servant- a slave. He came to be our sacrifice so we might enter heaven to be with God. Without this sacrifice there is no hope for we are rotting, decrepit flesh. Every sin you have done, now and until you die, was laid on Christ. He took our guilt and punishment so that when God would see us, He would see perfection.

Keep this in mind as you celebrate Easter, and more importantly as you start your work week. If you consider this just a good story, and Jesus an inspiration only, then you are in danger of hell! Consider yourself, your actions. Write out all the ways you can sin from the Commandments and Christ's teachings, then do none of them for a month... a week.... a day. If you are truly honest with yourself, you will sin on a disturbingly regular basis. Until you know you are a fetid being, sinful and without hope, you won't realize you need Christ.

Enjoy the celebration at Easter... but also give proper thanks to the God who gives you a reason to celebrate.