Hope in the Shadow of the Cross
Key Passage: For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Key Message: Because we know the full story, we can face our own seasons of sorrow with confidence, trusting that God is always at work bringing life out of death.
Imagine a handful of women huddled together in horror, their grief-stricken faces flooded with tears, hearts breaking, as their precious Jesus hung nailed to a cross just a few yards away. Close enough to see the blood dripping from His beaten body and hear Him struggle for each breath.
Now place yourself in that holy gathering, arms intertwined with the women who followed and walked with Jesus on a path that led them to that shocking scene. Join them in their desperation and despair and take a moment to mourn with them. Feel the weight of that Friday as they witnessed Jesus tortured and executed.
Listen to Jesus as He declares, “It is finished.” Soon after, the world plunges into darkness—for hours. Imagine the darkness that permeated their hearts and souls. These loyal and brave women risked everything to follow Jesus, traveling with Him as He performed miracles and transformed lives, on a road that led here—to the foot of the cross.
This can’t possibly be how the story ends!!
They had no idea Jesus’ violent death would usher in new life—eternal life—for everyone who believes in and follows Him, starting with those handful of women and extending to us today. Think about the significance of that.
Jesus chose twelve men as His disciples, yet they had all scattered when He was arrested, except for John, who was there with his mother, Salome. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there too, along with Mary Magdalene (the one from whom Jesus cast out seven demons), and a third Mary, the mother of James the younger (one of the disciples).
And some of these women (along with a few others) discovered His empty tomb early on Sunday morning, the minute the Sabbath was over, when they went to tend to His body—still following and caring for Him, even in death. And it was one of those women—Mary Magdelene—who encountered the resurrected Jesus first! The woman once tortured by seven demons who became one of His most devoted disciples.
Jesus loves women! He broke all the barriers while He walked on earth, honoring women with special encounters that transformed them from the inside out. What hope that provides for you and me! He meets us right where we are today—whether we are experiencing deep despair like the women at the foot of the cross or full of joy and hope like the women who discovered His empty tomb.
Jesus desires to walk with us in every season. It’s what we were created for: to be in relationship with Him. He knows your sorrow. He feels your pain. And He died so you and I can walk with Him forever.
For three days, those women who witnessed the crucifixion didn’t know what we now have the privilege of knowing. Christ’s death wasn’t the last chapter of His story. It was the beginning of the greatest story ever—one of salvation, hope, and eternal life.
That’s why today is called Good Friday, and we celebrate it with hopeful hearts. Because through His death, we have life. Through His sacrifice, we are saved.
Today, we sit at the foot of the cross with sorrow—and awe—because we know Easter Sunday is coming. The tomb is empty, Christ is risen, and He is preparing a place for us.
How should we approach this day? Just like the women more than two millennia ago: on our knees at the foot of the cross. Confess your sins, surrender your burdens, and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice with reverence and gratitude. Let Jesus breathe new life into you.
We face Good Friday with hope, understanding Christ’s death is a good and necessary thing. That, through His death, we have life. Through His sacrifice, we are saved. He died for you and for me and for all people, from the beginning of time and for all eternity, if they acknowledge Him, believe in Him, and follow Him.
We don’t have to visit His grave to discover it is empty. We know with certainty He is not there but in Heaven, at the right hand of God, preparing a place for us when our time on earth is finished.
We, dear sisters in Christ, have what those women didn’t have: the full story. From beginning to end, Scripture reveals our salvation in Christ. So don’t live in mourning—live with joy and boldness for “the One who is and who was and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8).
Prayer for Good Friday
Jesus, I grieve that the torture and sorrow You endured on the cross were necessary to save humanity. You didn’t want us enslaved to the lies of fear, anxiety, or sin—so You sacrificed Yourself so that Truth could win. “It is finished” was a cry of victory, because You defeated everything that held us in captivity. Because of Your sacrifice, I can experience new life. Thank You! Show me how to stay rooted in Your Truth, and use me to reach the world You died to set free.
Amen.
Reflection & Application
What do you need to lay down and leave at the foot of the cross today?
If Christ were to return on Sunday, would you be ready?
Do you know Jesus? Have you committed your life to Him? If not, why wait?