Good Friday

God allowed, in fact He ordered from the foundations of the world, the crucifixion of Jesus! That's good news, which is why it's good that we celebrate the memory of that event every year as Good Friday.


Most Christians celebrate Good Friday because in the crucifixion of Jesus, God was redeeming the world, defeating sin and slavery to sin, and "reconciling the world back to Himself" (in the words of Paul). I agree that these are reasons to rejoice, but this time, I rejoice for another reason.


This time around, I celebrate the crucifixion because I like the fact that God allowed it to happen, period. A lot of "stuff" happens in this world and in our lives that defy explanation and contradict our childhood Sunday School belief that life is a simple line of cause-and-effect; suffering is due to sin and people who suffer are paying the penalty of disobedience. This explanation works sometimes, but so many followers of Christ cling to this simple reasoning even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The assumption is that all suffering is "bad", and that if we would just do the things that the Bible commands our suffering would be eliminated!


Six months ago, I suffered three strokes! One of my sisters is waiting for a lung transplant and has to use a breathing machine to survive as she waits! My father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer! I'm sure that there are some "believers" who would hear this and want to call our family together for a session of confession of sin and repentance… arguing that "surely our suffering is due to disobedience and rebellion against God!" One reason why some people force this reasoning is that they think that if the suffering isn't deserved then God is unfair, and worst, not trustworthy.


On the contrary, I rejoice in knowing that Good Friday happened. I don't need to explain it or understand it. "Good Fridays" are not contradictions to the goodness and trustworthiness of God, and I am convinced that "nothing shall separate me from the love of God, not even my failures. So, I embrace the mystery. I live confidently through my "grave" experiences. I wait for a resurrection!


Dad and sis, breathe peace. Live well. Rejoice in the God who is Lord even on Good Friday!