Good Friday

Friday – Good Friday 

“Spoiler Alert”, we often see these words in articles that discuss television shows or movies. They are meant to warn the reader the content includes details that tell how the movie or show is going to end, or at least, give details that one might not want to know ahead of time.

I think this issue of “Spoiler Alert” alters how we view this day of Holy Week. We know about Easter, we know how this week ends. That makes it a little difficult to enter into what this day is all about – death.

My friend Bill taught me years ago a large part of worship is remembering. We are told to remember in scripture often, so it makes good sense to employ intentional remembering in our worship services. The Lord’s Table, Eucharist in many church traditions, is a perfect example of this.

Remembering that Friday can be hard since we do know the end of the story. In fact, my own church has abandoned a corporate service on Friday for sober reflection, and now has a rousing baptism party.

As we rush to Easter prematurely, I think we do this at a great loss. We certainly can set aside one hour a year for reflection of the cost paid for our adoption into God’s family. If we don’t corporately gather for some sober remembering, I believe we cheapen Easter.

So, let’s try to set aside Easter Sunday for now. Read through one of the gospel accounts of this day and try to be present as this death of redemption unfolds.

Using your God-given gift of imagination; you are in the Garden of Gethsemane. You’ve sleepily tried to stay awake to pray with Jesus but have failed.

Suddenly you hear a loud group approaching and you are now fully awake. Your heart hammers in your chest. “What is happening?” screams in your mind.

The group sent by the Pharisees have arrived with torches and swords. To your astonishment, Jesus hands himself over to this armed group that have come to arrest him. They really are thwarted though, Jesus willingly, almost eagerly submits to them tying his hands and goes with them. You don’t know it, but that is the last time his hands will be free until they are carrying the cross and then stretched out to receive the nails of crucifixion.

In fear, you scatter. You don’t want to get caught up in these events. Later you learn that John and Peter follow along and are as close to the illegitimate court proceedings as they can get. You also learn of Peter’s denials. Jesus had predicted this, but Peter is crushed under his guilt.

You are shocked to learn the verdict, death by crucifixion. Will you go and witness the cross? Can you stand by and watch this incredible man’s life drain away? Evidently only John of the twelve could do this.

Who else was there witnessing the cross? A crowd jeering, throwing insults. A small group of women grieving uncontrollably at the sight of Jesus hanging there. Pharisees smiling and smug at the thought they’d finally managed to rid themselves of this troublesome rabbi who threatened their power and position.

There may also have been a party going on, a party in the dark heavenlies. Partying, thinking they had won. Jesus was at last dying and the plan had been disrupted. They think they've won.

We pause on this day to remember this cost, to stand in solidarity with those grieving that day. Yes, we know the ultimate outcome of these events, and we will rejoice. But let us set aside some time to remember soberly the cost. Let us add to the tradition of remembering, even if we cannot do it corporately.

Let us stand at the foot of the cross.