What’s So Good About It?

(Posted March 27, 2024)

“On the eve of the cross, Jesus made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.” ― Max Lucado

As a Pastor at the end of Lent, I once again find myself haunted by one, single question:

What in the name of God is so good about GOOD FRIDAY?

The only good thing about it that I can think of is, even that horrific death on the cross put an end to Christ’s suffering. Of course, the Church Fathers who decided to call it Good Friday were saying: By Jesus giving himself up to pay for our own sins, it was good FOR US.

It’s true, but it’s rather selfish to think that we would be willing to witness his “end” just to save our sorry souls.

Jesus Showed Us How to Be Human

However, there’s another way that this infamous day in our week IS good. This is the day that Jesus, who is ever the teacher, took on ALL the negative experiences of being human, and showed US how to deal with them: loneliness, betrayal, abandonment, rejection, fear, being used as a political pawn, disrespect, intentionally inflicted pain, hunger and thirst, embarrassment, unanswered prayer, awareness of one’s own impending death.

Despite all of these human-induced experiences, Jesus did not curse humanity from the cross. Instead, he raised his voice to God and implored, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Take a Moment

This Friday, March 29, our church at 164 Deer Hill Avenue has all its doors open to anyone who wants to come in, linger for a while in the quiet, and keep the spirit of Jesus company, from 12 to 3 PM – the hours representative of his slow death. Ironically, this is a year where there are too many fresh memories in our heads of quantum suffering: Ukraine, Palestine, Russia, Israel, Haiti, addiction and violence in our own American streets. You are welcome to sit with us, to reflect and pray.   

It’s Easter -- Come as You Are

Then, on Sunday, our doors are once again open for the Glory of Easter Sunday morning. At 10 AM you are welcome to come as you are to voice your gratitude for Christ’s triumph over death. At the end of our Easter Service, all are invited forward to sing with our incredible Choir the Alleluia Chorus (even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket!) We then head out for the Easter Egg Hunt with all of our kids… including any children who want to come as your guests!

So please, come as you are this week. Join us for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and quiet, or for Easter Morning, Alleluias and Easter Eggs!