In Remembrance of Good Friday

Yesterday here at Focus, we enjoyed our Maundy Thursday chapel. It was a special time for our staff to come together and reflect on our Lord’s final hours before ascending Calvary to shed His blood on our behalf.

Today, our offices are closed in honor of the holy remembrance of Good Friday.

A few of my non-Christian readers may not understand what today represents. Even some Christians may not fully appreciate the deep, meaningful symbolism ascribed to Jesus and His sacrifice. We can become so accustomed to Christian “lingo” – like the “lamb of God” – that imagery and metaphors lose their meaning and become something of a cliché.

Even the person of Jesus is often minimized. Some see Him simply as a wise prophet while others think of Him as a passionate teacher. His challenge to love our enemies and our neighbors are ideals to aspire to, but Jesus Himself is thought of as nothing more than a great teacher in a long line of equals who we should imitate, as we would any other great person.

But Jesus is wholly other. He has no equal. His teachings are not wise platitudes along the lines of Ghandi or Confucious. They reflect His holy character as the Son of God. His life isn’t merely to be imitated. His life, death, and resurrection transform who we are.

All of those truths are woven throughout Scripture, not only in the historical retelling of Jesus’ time on earth, but in the symbolism of the Jewish culture.

Few people can illuminate Scripture and bring it to life as well as Ray Vander Laan. He’s been our guest numerous times over the years and has partnered with us since 1995 to produce the extensive That the World May Know video series, which has touched millions of lives around the world.

We’re re-airing a program today we recorded a few years back where he delves into the powerful imagery associated with Christ and explains, as only Ray can, how it all illustrates the truth of the Bible.

Ray is a teacher at Holland Christian Schools in Michigan. He’s an ordained minister, an expert in Jewish history, and has been teaching the Bible for over 40 years.

Join us for our conversation today on your local radio station. It’ll make the Scripture come alive for each and every member your family. You can also listen online or via our free, downloadable mobile phone app.