Day 39: Good Friday 4/3

READ: James 2:21-24 (revisit)

What about Abraham, our father? Wasn’t he shown to be righteous through his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? See, his faith was at work along with his actions. In fact, his faith was made complete by his faithful actions. So the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and God regarded him as righteous. What is more, Abraham was called God’s friend. So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.

REFLECT 

Today we stand before the cross — Rome's instrument of terror, designed to humiliate and warn. This is how empire deals with threats. Abraham's faith was completed when he raised the knife over Isaac — and God provided a ram. Today, God gives of Godself in Jesus. Jesus' faith is completed on the cross, where his trust in the Father and his love for us become one action. This is enduring faith in its fullest form: Jesus takes on empire's violence and breaks its power through love. Faith and works united in love.

RESPOND 

Spend time at the cross today. Let the magnitude of Jesus' faithful obedience and faithful love sink in.

PRAY 

Jesus crucified by empire, you refused to save yourself by bowing to power. Your death exposes empire's violence and your resurrection defeats it. We cannot comprehend this love. Thank you. Amen.