The Wake-Up Call – "The Good Friday Question: Is This for Looking At?"

Host: John David Walt (J.D. Walt), with guest David Walt
Date: April 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This Good Friday episode of The Wake-Up Call centers on the theme of "beholding" Jesus—focusing specifically on the act of looking at the crucified Christ and what that means for spiritual transformation. Drawing from personal stories, Scripture (John 1:29, John 1:35–37), and classic hymns, J.D. Walt invites listeners to shift from striving towards change, to simply beholding Jesus, who is the true agent of transformation on Good Friday.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene for Good Friday

(00:00–02:00)

• J.D. Walt opens with a prayer of consecration, urging listeners to "wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you."
• He frames the day through the events of Good Friday, inviting the audience to imagine Jesus on the cross at different hours—emphasizing, "I want you to have that sanctified imagination that Jesus is saying, I belong to you."

2. The Good Friday Question: "Is This for Looking At?"

(02:00–06:30)

• J.D. tells a poignant story of his son David at age 4, noticing a crucifix and asking:
  • Quote (03:35): "Dad, what is this? What do we use this for? Or dad, is this for looking at?" – David Walt
• This question becomes the crux of the reflection—J.D. affirms, "Yes, David, you are exactly right. This is for looking at."
• The concept of beholding—actively looking at Jesus—is positioned as the spiritual method for transformation, rather than self-driven effort.

3. Transformation Comes from Beholding, Not Striving

(06:30–10:30)

• The episode dismantles the myth of self-change:
  • Quote (04:10): "The change that is transformation does not come from trying harder to do more to be better. It comes from beholding. Yes David, this is for looking at. I cannot change myself. Jesus is the change agent." – J.D. Walt
  • The host repeatedly refers to John the Baptist’s words: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
• Transformation, J.D. suggests, manifests as moving from "darkness to light, from death to life, and from chaos to new creation."
• He challenges listeners:
  • Quote (08:13): "You may be thinking, but this feels too easy… But what if it is? What if real change is completely different than we thought? What if it is not up to us to do the changing?"

4. The Shift from Activity to Abiding

(10:30–12:30)

• The focus shifts from religious activity to a posture of reception and abiding in Jesus:
  • "We're making the shift team... from all the burden on us to all the burden on Jesus. Isn't that what he's done? Isn't that Good Friday? He took it on himself."
• Visual reflection on an artwork titled Darkness Tries to Comprehend Light (a carving by Kevin Sparks), underscoring the importance of spending time simply gazing at Christ.

5. Musical Meditation: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and "The Wonderful Cross"

(14:34–19:18)

• J.D. and his father, David, discuss Good Friday’s unique significance ("You actually can't separate his death from his resurrection… we do not skip Good Friday and go straight to Easter").
• They sing verses from Isaac Watts’ classic hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and the modern chorus "The Wonderful Cross," co-written by J.D. Walt and Chris Tomlin.
  • The music invites listeners to deeply "survey," or behold, the cross, reinforcing the episode’s central theme.
  • Notable Lyrics (16:20): "When I survey the wondrous cross / on which the Prince of Glory died / My richest gain I count but loss / and pour contempt on all my pride."

6. Final Reflections and Blessing

(19:18–21:50)

• J.D. shares plans to preach at a Good Friday service in The Woodlands, Texas, highlighting the importance of community and ongoing ministry.
• The episode closes with an encouragement to slow down, breathe deeply, "turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face."
  • Quote (21:09): "Let's just slow down today. Let's walk slower. Let's breathe deeper. Let's turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face."

Memorable Quotes

• "Beholding Jesus, belonging to Jesus, becoming like Jesus. We bring the beholding, he brings the change."
  — J.D. Walt (06:40)

• "We're shifting from all the burden on us to all the burden on Jesus. Isn't that what he's done? Isn't that Good Friday? He took it on himself."
  — J.D. Walt (11:30)

• "Yes, David. This is for looking at. Yes, Sower Nation. This is for looking at."
  — J.D. Walt (13:05)

• "Do you think Good Friday, dad, is the most significant day in world history, or is it Easter Sunday?"
  — J.D. Walt (14:27)

  • "Friday starts us off... So Friday's it."
    — David Walt (13:44-13:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 02:00: Opening prayer and Good Friday setup
• 02:00 – 06:30: Story of young David and "Is this for looking at?" reflection
• 06:30 – 10:30: Beholding Christ as the path to transformation
• 10:30 – 13:44: Visual reflection; abiding vs. striving
• 14:34 – 19:18: Song: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" / "The Wonderful Cross"
• 19:18 – 21:50: Closing reflections, blessing, and encouragement to slow down and behold Christ

Reflection Prompts (from the episode)

• What does beholding mean to you?
• How do you behold?
• What might it mean to shift the focus from your activity to Jesus' person and presence?

Tone and Language

Consistently warm, contemplative, and pastoral, J.D. Walt speaks directly to the listener, encouraging a slower, more intentional posture of faith. The episode is rich with familial warmth, scriptural meditation, creativity in music, and a spirit of invitation into the mystery of Good Friday.

In summary:
This episode is an invitation to pause on Good Friday and simply "look at" Jesus on the cross—not as a passive gaze, but as the core posture for spiritual transformation. "This is for looking at," not for striving or achieving, but for allowing the sacrificial love of Christ to change us from the inside out.