What does Genesis 22:1-18 tell us? It tells us of the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (v 2).

What does Good Friday tell us? It tells us of the willingness of God to sacrifice His only Son, Jesus Christ.

Why was Abraham willing to sacrifice his beloved son? Because he loved God. Why was God willing to sacrifice His beloved Son? Because God loves us.

Jesus took our place as a sacrifice for all our sins for all time.

Mark says, "For the Son of Man Himself came ... to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Abraham's love for God is best seen in Genesis 22. God's love for us is best seen in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. John 3:16 says, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life." And the apostle Paul says in Romans 8:32" ... He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for the sake of all of us."

During this Holy Saturday, let us read and meditate on the readings. Romans 6:3-11 reminds us that through Christ's death and resurrection we are called to "live a new life" (v 4); that we are freed from the slavery of sin (v 6); and that we must consider ourselves "to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus" (v 11).