Good Friday Message

<sup>We are quietly spending the Holy Week at home to just rest and spend time together as a family.  Some of our closest friends were here yesterday and there will be a family get-together tomorrow. It's the best time of the year to spend time with the most important people in our lives but more importantly, reflect on God's amazing love for us. 

Earlier today, we attended (we always do every year) the Good Friday service in Church.  Three of our pastors gave messages and I would like to share our senior pastor's sermon.</sup>

^{One of the seven last words mentioned by the Lord before he died on the cross can be  found on John 19:25-27 (NIV)}

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 

There are three lessons learned from the words of Jesus for John and Mary.

1. Personal pains should not cause us to neglect the welfare of our family.  

Let us remember that Jesus went through so much pain when he was tortured the previous night and when he was crucified but during this time he would like to ensure that Mary, his mother will be taken cared of when he's gone.  We are reminded to rise above our pains and it should not be an excuse to compromise the welfare of our family. The hierarchy of our priorities should be God, Family, Ministry then Others.  

2. Preserving the welfare of the family requires knowing the people who can be trusted with the life of family members. 

Out of the 11 trusted disciples (excluding Judas,) Jesus chose and commanded John to take care of Mary.  As parents, we should get involved in our children's choices of friends (even the ones who they will eventually marry.)  We might be very protective of our children but they will still end up making mistakes if they are with the wrong people. For the children,  listen to your parents, let them know who you are with for they know what is best for you.

3. Promoting the welfare of the family requires knowing how to prioritize our attention.
Jesus prioritized his mother, his family. We might have our careers, businesses, friends and other people to attend to but ALWAYS prioritize our husband or wife and children.  Never allow any of them to feel neglected. They deserve 100% of our attention especially during the time when they need us most.  Let them know how important they are to us.

Thank you Lord for the very timely message we heard today. I thank You for my family for they are the most important people in my life.  As a mother and wife, I pray that I will always be sensitive to their needs and that I may be able to serve them the best way I can, the way that would be pleasing to you. Amen.

FOREVER GRATEFUL 

Juanita Bynum

You did not wait for me to draw near to You,
but You clothed Yourself in frail humanity.
You did not wait for me to cry out to You,
but You let me hear Your voice calling me.

And I'm forever grateful, Lord, to You.
And I'm forever grateful for the cross.
And I'm forever grateful to You,
that You came to seek and save the lost.