Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday

Psalm 22Isaiah 52:13–53:12Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9John 18:1–19:42

Last night Jesus asked his disciples to sit with him and pray. As difficult as that was, the moments of Good Friday are even more difficult, but also offer blessings as well. Can we sit with Jesus on this day? This day is a day to remember, reflect, pray, and yes, even grieve. As we know, grieving is a part of the process of life. Even though much of life is growth and abundance and hope, we also know there are so many necessary losses in life. To allow ourselves to grieve is essential for living abundant lives.

When Jesus said in John 10:10 that “I have come, so that you may have life, and have it abundantly,” he did not promise that it would all be tiptoeing through the tulips. As we find ourselves here, in this holy time of Good Friday, we are offered the opportunity to bring our grief, disappointment, fear, and pain to the cross.

We are offered the opportunity to unload our burdens here, and we are offered the opportunity to grieve our losses and sadness. We are offered the opportunity to grieve for those whom we carry in our hearts and minds.

On this day, this Good Friday, Jesus has taken up our grieving, has carried our pain, and has transformed it. Jesus takes it ALL up with him. The cross is the bridge from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, and Jesus carries the burden of suffering and death. While it may seem impossible, it is not. What is impossible for humankind is possible for God. The story might have ended here, but God had another end in mind. A glorious end. But the road to that end passes through this place, and this time, this cross—even as unbelievable as that may seem to much of the world! “What others meant for evil, God turned into good.”

The Rev. Peter Carey

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