I get asked a lot what is so "good" about Good Friday. Why do Christians "celebrate" the day Jesus died?
Well, let me tell you today was not a celebration. Our church has a Tre Ore (Three Hours' Agony)service from Noon to Three. It is seven 25 minute "services" focusing on the seven last words of Christ. Today, I cried probably 7 times during that service - mostly during music. Amazed at what Christ did for me...a horrible wretched sinner who can't even give up Facebook for 40 days without lamenting! Yet, Christ took on all of our sin, let people beat him beyond human recognition, nail him to a tree and then still asked his father to forgive us because we didn't know what we were doing.
So at 3 pm I was sorrowful, remorseful, and on the verge of grieving.
I had some time before the evening service and took a walk from our church. I anticipated walking to the Starbucks in the Amway Grand but it started raining as I was walking so I changed my route and I ended up at Crescent Park by Van Andel Institute, looking at Ethan's memorial brick. I just said "I love you buddy" and then walked up to hospital to get a coffee at the cafeteria. It was fitting to be there today as I remembered several walks in the back door with Ethan. This time I pushed 1 instead of 7 on the elevator button and when I walked into the cafeteria it was eerie still to go and get a cup of coffee without stopping to look at the chips, ice cream, and candy. I left having triumphed the trip without a tear drop.
Rehearsal for the evening service proved very moving and I cried a lot. I knew that the evening service would be difficult.
The tears started flowing at Michael W. Smith's Lord Have Mercy. How could anyone love me so much that they would go through all that so I can live eternally? How horrible for God to have to turn his back on his only son when he was in such extreme pain so that I could be with him? As the song states: What wondrous love is this, o my soul...
Tonight, we were allowed to walk up and nail our "sin" to a cross...I took a hammer and pounded a nail into the cross and then sat in my pew and sobbed. Jesus, name above all names, died on a cross for me, for you, for all.
After the sound of the stone being rolled in front of the tomb, we left the church in silence.
I have always been mournful on Good Friday but since Ethan died I have been more so. Because if Christ didn't do what he did, MY son would not be living eternally. I would not be filled with peace that passes all understanding because I know Ethan is joyfully dancing and singing in the heavens.
What's Good about Good Friday? My God....that's what's good!
