Today we ‘celebrate’ the death of Jesus. We don’t have to be sad and grief-stricken. Don’t get me wrong, I think trying to imagine how the disciples felt and what they were going through is a great exercise. They had just lost all their hope, and were afraid, and they just didn’t get what he had been trying to tell them. I don’t think I would have understood either until the time came. But our time of reflection doesn’t need to last for 6 weeks or even any longer than it takes to read the account of the crucifixion. We don’t need to beat ourselves up for his sake. Today is the day Jesus accomplished what none of us could do, be a perfect sacrifice (not only for ourselves, but for everyone). And we don’t have to wait until Sunday to read the rest of the story. We can celebrate Easter even on Good Friday because we’re on this side of the crucifixion. We can eagerly rejoice in the wonderful day that God broke the chains of death and provided a way to free us from slavery to sin.
Trying to explain it to my kiddos is quite an interesting experience. They don’t even really understand what death means yet, but someday they will. At least they can understand his pain. “It wasn’t really a very ‘good’ day for Jesus was it?” Nope. “So why do we call it ‘Good’?” Hmmm. “He willing died so He could be raised and then come live with us! So its a pretty ‘good’ day for us, huh?”
It’s Good Y’all!
No more legalism. . .
No more bloody sacrifices that only cover one sin at a time . . .
No more veil separating us because we are unworthy . . .
No more guilt. . .
No more striving . . .
Now God can look at us through the lens of Christ and see nothing but His perfection.
It’s Very Good!