BEYOND GOOD TO GREAT: A GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL
Today, as we observe Good Friday, our hearts turn to the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is a day marked by solemn reflection on the immense love that led our Savior to endure suffering and death for our sins. We remember the darkness that fell upon the earth as the Light of the world was temporarily extinguished, the ultimate sacrifice that paved the way for the glorious dawn of His Resurrection.
In the Gospel of Mark, a rich young ruler approaches Jesus and asks, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds with a question that often gives us pause: "Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone."
This exchange is not a denial of Jesus' divinity, but rather a powerful reminder of the ultimate source of all goodness. Jesus, in his humility, directs the young man – and us – to the very essence of goodness: God Himself. It highlights that any goodness we strive for, any virtue we seek to embody, flows from the Father.
As men striving not to be merely “good men” but great men - great husbands, great fathers, great sons, and followers of a great Savior – this Good Friday compels us to examine our understanding of goodness.
In a world where "good" is often relative, shaped by personal preferences and shifting cultural norms, Jesus points us to the absolute standard: the unwavering, perfect goodness of God. At Man Up, we believe that true healthy masculinity will transform our culture back into a great society.
Now, here's the truth, if you can handle the truth: we don't need just "a few good men," as said in the military courtroom movie, but the world needs a vast magnitude of great and godly men, great husbands, great fathers, and great men in all aspects of life. A desire to be great and godly men who do good things is a noble one. Scripture provides us with numerous examples and exhortations on how to live such lives.
Great godly men are called to:
Love our families as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), a love characterized by selflessness and sacrifice.
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8), embodying the character of God in our interactions with others.
Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9), standing firm in our faith.
Serve our church and community (Galatians 5:13), using our gifts to build up others and reflect God's love.
However, it is crucial to remember that our ability to embody these qualities is not rooted in our own strength or inherent goodness. Instead, it flows from our relationship with the One who is truly good. It is through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, whose death we remember today, that we are made righteous in God's sight. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit, given to us through faith in Him, that we are empowered to live lives that reflect His goodness.
This Good Friday, let us not only mourn the death of Jesus but also be deeply grateful for the grace that empowers us to be great men. Let us acknowledge that our pursuit of greatness as men is about reflecting the greatness of our God. Let us seek to be great godly men, not by our own merit, but by the transforming power of the One who declared, "No one is good—except God alone," and yet willingly laid down His life for us.
May this day deepen our understanding of true goodness and strengthen our resolve to follow the perfect example of our Savior, who, through His sacrifice, has shown us the ultimate expression of love and goodness. And you want to know what really makes Good Friday so good and actually great? It’s knowing that Sunday is coming!
So great men, this Good Friday, as we reflect upon the great price that Jesus paid on the cross, let it ignite within you a fierce determination to rise beyond mere goodness and actively cultivate the greatness God calls you to – step into your roles as the godly leaders our world so desperately needs.
Psalm 96:4: "For the LORD our God is great and greatly to be praised."