Day 39 | 40-Day Lenten Fast & Devotional

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

Good morning, family. It is day number 39 of our 40-day Lenten devotional. We’ve journeyed and sojourned over these last few days to get to this sacred moment: Good Friday.

By this point in the journey, Christ has already been wrongfully accused and convicted. He has gone past even the Garden of Gethsemane, where He asked His Father for the cup to pass. And yet, He still chose the cross. Our scripture today comes from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” The good news of the gospel is made real today.

Today is called Good Friday, and for us as Christians, it marks the moment that crystallizes our faith. It’s the moment where we come face-to-face with the power, presence, and love of Christ Himself.

As Jesus journeys toward the cross, we are reminded of why He did it: because God loved you, and God loved me. So much so that He surrendered His Son to death. Our sins were too great, too real, to be covered by the sacrifices of old. No ritual offering or good deed could suffice. It had to be the ultimate sacrifice.

And so, Christ became the ransom. Ransom for the sins we’ve committed. Ransom for the sins we were going to commit. The hallmark of our faith is this: we are pardoned because Christ took our place. Our actions, our transgressions, our missing the mark — they led us here. But Christ said, “I got this.” He volunteered. He became the blameless sacrifice. He took on torture. He took on death. The death penalty was paid in full — for us.

So while we call it Good Friday, it is not a casual celebration. There’s a weight to this day. A soberness that should attend our hearts as we reflect on what Christ endured — and why.

As we look back over these 39 days — the stretching, the praying, the revelation — we give thanks. Thanks for the journey. Thanks for what God has done, shown, and revealed. Thanks for how we’ve grown. More than redemption, we’ve witnessed God move through our lives.

My prayer is that this time of devotion has brought you closer to Him. I know it has for me. Every year we do this, it deepens my understanding — not just of walking as a Christian, but of sacrificing as one. Whether it’s the fasting, the praying, or the daily word, I pray this experience has moved you into a deeper, more committed, and more honest walk with Christ.

Grace and peace be unto you, my Father’s children.

As we conclude this 40-day devotional journey, may we carry with us a clearer understanding of ourselves — and a fresh set of marching orders for the road ahead. God bless you.

Can’t wait to see you tonight at our Good Friday Service as we commemorate this incredible day in our faith.

Be blessed.