What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be the joy of those who accused him wrongly, the pain of the scourging and crowning with thorns or the authority of Pilate who condemned him and ordered his crucifixion on the cross? But he was the only innocent person in that tribunal. All the people including Pilate were guilty, and that was why he came to rescue all from the slavery of sin (Gal. 1:4). What do you do when people accuse you falsely and even condemn you for the sake of what is right? If you remain faithful, you will be blessed because your reward will be great in heaven (Matt. 5:11-12).
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be about the cross he carried (John 19:17). The cross represents the weight of our sins and the punishment due to them which he took upon himself (Isaiah 53:4-5). He even asked us to bring all our burden to him, and he would sustain us (1 Pet. 5:7). The cross was heavy, yet he had to carry it. Each time we go back to sin we add more weight to him. We have our crosses to bear, but often we take the wrong cross as not every cross is salvific (1 Pet. 4:15-16).
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be the weight of the cross that made our Lord fall three times on the way to Calvary? The fall confirms our fallen human nature which he came to resuscitate. He falls three times and three times he rises and continues the journey. God is always giving us the opportunity to rise after every episode of falling into sin (Isaiah 1:18). The worst fall is the one that does not encourage us to rise and continue the journey of life. Do you give up after falling?
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be the meeting with Mary, the help of Simon of Cyrene, the wiping of his face by Veronica or the encounter with the crying women of Jerusalem? God will always plant consolers and helpers on the most difficult journeys of our lives. They could be there only to look at your face with compassion, to assist you practically or even cry with you. God will always provide (Gen.22:8); they could be people you know, but often, those who would help you most in the tough journey of life could be complete strangers.
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be about the stripping of our Lord Jesus Christ of his clothes in the full gaze of the crowd? We came naked and naked we shall return (Job 1:21). We often try to hide from people, but before God, nothing about us is hidden (Heb. 4:13).
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be about the nailing to the cross? The cross is the new tree that replaced the old tree in the middle of the garden of Eden (Gen.3:3). By the first tree, humanity failed, on the new tree of the cross, humanity would gain redemption. The cross is the place to nail all the curses that are confronting our lives so that they would become blessings (Gal.3:13).
What is “good” about this Friday?
- Could it be about death on the cross? Yes! On the cross, our Lord said, “it is finished” (John 19:30), and bowed his head and died. It is finished means that the price has been paid in full. It means that the relationship between God and us has been renewed. It means that we are no longer guilty neither are we in debt. It means that our redemption has been accomplished in full, we are no longer liable; no longer debtors.
One of the great messages from the Good Friday ceremony is the power of suffering. Someone once remarked that “pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” We often run away from suffering, and that is why many people are unsuccessful and unfortunate in life. Suffering is like exercising to get through with a task. The success of a team in a sporting event does not come on the day of the competition. The success goes back to the tough times of practising, the mistakes and retakes, the sleepless nights, and other challenging situations.
Our redemption was not a walk in the park. Why did God allow his Son to come down to us being like us in all things except sin (Heb. 4:15)? Why did God let His Son to suffer and to die to purchase our freedom from sin? That would tell us that our redemption is precious, and our sin was too profound. The suffering you may be going through now cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed soon (1 Cor. 2:9). Stay tuned!
Fr. Bonnie.