Since Among the Least has not posted in a while, I thought this bleak-weather day in the southwest corner of Colorado might be the time to simmer thoughts on paper.
It’s Good Friday, the date on a calendar where Christians meditate on the crucifixion and death of Jesus the Christ. It’s difficult to explain to those who do not know Jesus why this memorable day is called good.
Friend: “Why are you not at work?”
Me: “It’s Good Friday. The day we remember that our Savior died on the cross.”
Friend: “Why would something so horrible be good?”
Me: “His sacrifice pays the debt of humanity’s (my) wrongs (sin).”
Friend: “Well, that sounds completely morbid.”
Me: “It is if you don’t know Jesus.”
Said friend moves onto the next errand in life and the story is left unfinished - no words explaining the nature of mankind, our need for redemption and the ultimate resurrection that Jesus can bring new life. I head home, whisper a prayer and wonder about the word good.
Culturally, good means to be desired or approved. “I’m having a good day’ reflects happiness lacking complication. How ya doing? Good?
We all want good, but definitely not if it’s going to cost us more than we expect. We don’t want suffering, pain, hardship. We want straightforward entertainment with little responsibility, unless we’re getting paid, of course.
Good Friday’s good doesn’t fit the fleshly definition of us thinking of us first - a wordy phrase, but true.
Jesus chose to surrender to the obedience of sacrifice - a concept we might admire, but not enough to emulate. Yet, if we are followers of Jesus, we are commanded to sacrifice … maybe personal desires, possessions, pride, or social reputation. What could God be asking you to release, in obedience to him, for the sake of others ?
Today, while focusing on Jesus, may we see what good is in respect to our place in His body and our position on the earth.