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Good Friday
Scripture Verses
- Matthew 27:1–66
- 1 Corinthians 15:1–58
Questions to Consider
- Why is Good Friday good?
- Why should we not fear death?
- What does it mean that Jesus conquered death?
Plan of Action
- Remember the cross and the resurrection. Simply reflect upon the implications of the above readings.
- Participate in Good Friday Worship
Reflection
What is so good about Friday? Jesus died. It was a day of darkness, agony, and suffering. On this day many of us will participate in worship which is somber and sorrowful. It doesn’t seem so good.
This world is filled with grief. There is not a single person reading this who has not been touched by death in someway. There is pain and it endures a lifetime. While we may experience some healing from the pain of the loss, we will never be the same in this lifetime. There is part of us missing. It doesn’t seem so good.
Not only do we experience the pain of sorrow when it comes to death, we are also confronted with our own mortality. Our time on this earth is short. With the exception of Enoch and Elijah, the mortality rate is 100%. Sin has rendered us all with a terminal diagnosis. It’s not if we will die, but when we will die. It doesn’t seem so good.
It certainly doesn’t seem so good, but the reason we call Good Friday “good” is that it is not the end of the story. Sorrow does not get the last laugh. It may be Friday but Sunday is coming. There is more of the story yet to be told. The final act has yet to play out.
The Apostle Paul writes:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
He does not say we do not grieve. Yes, we grieve. We grieve because of the reality of death we are confronted with. There are tears to be shed as long as we walk this earth, but we do not grieve as those who are without hope.
You might have been told to never put a period where a comma belongs. For those of us who are believers, death is not the period. It is the comma. Death is not good-bye. It is see-you-later.
On Sunday we celebrate the resurrection. Without Sunday, there is no “good” in Friday. The resurrection gives us the conviction to say:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)
Jesus makes possible a new order. Death is a doorway to a new and blessed life.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
On this Good Friday, we remember remember the saving work of Jesus upon the cross. It is finished! The cross is behind us. It is “good” because Jesus is risen just as he said. It’s okay to shed a tear today, but make sure to mix joy with the sorrow.
When I read the title- Giving Up Sorrow- I got excited thinking about learning how not to be sad about losses in my life, loss of dreams, in particular due to an unwanted divorce. But that was not your focus. You were, of course, more seasonally appropriate. But could you think about and address this other particular loss in another email maybe? I value your insight.
Thanks