March 29, 2024
My beloved children in Christ, I greet and bless you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As we are all aware today is a special day. Today is Good Friday. What Mangala Vaarthai has the Lord for us on this day?
Let us read, Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ was bruised in our place while we were yet sinners. Christ died in our place while we were yet sinners. A person sacrificing their life for friends is the greatest act of love on earth. He loved us to that extent, that He gave His life for us. The death on the cross depicts the great love that God had for mankind.
Kavignar Kannadasan a Tamil Poet and Songwriter wrote a book on the life of Jesus called ‘Yesu Kaaviyam’ The entire New Testament is described in it in poetic form. It is a wonderful poetic rendition. After finishing writing the book, while writing the foreword he explains a certain thing. While working in the film industry, he wrote a song, “God should be born as a man. He should experience the agony of being in love.” This was quite a famous song; you all might know it. ‘Yesu Kaaviyam’ was the last book he wrote. After writing it he went abroad. But he did not return. He died while he was abroad. I think the greatest blessing in the life of Kavignar Kannadasan was the book ‘Yesu Kaaviyam’ depicting the life of Christ in poetry form. He had planned to release it once he returned but died before that.
The Catholic Church bishops released the book after his death with great honor. I have read that book, those who haven’t read kindly make sure to buy and read it. The life of Jesus is beautifully depicted in poetic form. Before he knew Jesus, he wrote, “God should be born as a man. He should experience the agony of being in love.” But once he finished the book, ‘Yesu Kaaviyam’ and knew the entire life history of Jesus, he wrote, if only I had known the life history of Jesus that day, I would not have written a poem in this manner. This is because just as I had written in the song, Jesus was born as a man. He was born as a man, fell in love with mankind, but did not agonise over them instead gave His life for them.
When I read this, my eyes were filled with tears. Just imagine such a famous poet, recognized this and beautifully wrote about it. Jesus was born in this world for mankind. He loved mankind and as a gift for that love, He gave His life. He has written there is no greater love than this. Children of God reading this word, for us to be saved, while we were yet sinners, He experienced our punishment and gave up His life. This day is referred to as ‘Good Friday.’
On this Good Friday, what is our debt of gratitude to God? God places this question before you. He gave His life; in return what are you going to give Him? How are you going to repay Him? For your sins and for your iniquities? Oh! Jesus, You died for me, they beat you, they dealt with You so cruelly, they spit on Your face, instead of pitying Jesus in this manner. To gladden the heart of Jesus, today renew the robe of salvation, and offer God the fruit of repentance. On this Holy Friday, on this Good Friday, the only debt of gratitude you can offer God is – whichever sin you cannot leave, leave that sin today. This Holy God gave up His life so that you will be holy. When you let go of that sin, there will be a great celebration in heaven because of you. The Bible says, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. For God who is enthroned in heaven, to have a celebration in heaven, let go of that sin that you have been unable to. Crucify that sin today, says the Lord. Whatever the sin – whether it is alcoholism, an unwanted relationship, lust, pride of life, or fraud, crucify it on the cross as Jesus has already borne it. Lord this sin should no longer be in my life. While I was yet a sinner, for me to become holy you gave your life and loved me. Now I leave this sin and love You, saying this today bury your sins. God will be glorified in you. This is the expectation of Jesus on this Holy Friday, Good Friday. Today don’t stop just by saying Lord forgive me. The Bible says, whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Don’t stop asking for forgiveness; confess it and renounce it from today. This Good Friday will be a day of blessing.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You. While we were yet sinners, You were born on this earth, and took the form of man, Lord You were crucified on the cross, crushed and willingly gave Your life for us. We thank You for this supreme love. Lord help my children to leave the sin they are unable to leave it. Due to this, let there be great joy in heaven, and let God rejoice. Let them confess and renounce today not to continue tomorrow with commas but to put a full stop. May this Holy Good Friday be a festival of blessing for my children. Let every sin, the sins clinging to them when they cry out be forgiven by You Lord. Let them all be nailed to the cross; and may my children gloriously gain victory. May they live a glorious, victorious spiritual life. Grant them the grace of living a life that is pleasing to You. Do marvelous things. In Jesus Name Amen.
