The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
Good Friday: Is it a cheerful event or a solemn time?
Some argue that it is to be cheerful; after all, it is “Good.” Jesus died on the cross procuring our salvation in time and history. Without his death, redemption and removal of God’s wrath doesn’t happen. How can we not rejoice? So rejoice together, remember his suffering, and leave being socially grateful and happy for his obedience.
Others say it should be a solemn observance. After all, eternal judgment was being dealt with. Our eternal pain or joy was at stake. Can we not for a small interval stop the noise and be quiet and still and meditate on this? On their side is the fact that while Jesus was on the cross, the land was dark for three hours. God forced men to take notice of his actions.
What to do? How to think?
The answer is our church leadership has chosen for the Good Friday observance to be quiet, reverential, solemn, and meditational. In wisdom they think it’s good for you and yours to slow down and grasp what has happened on your behalf; how Satan and death were conquered for all time and for Christ’s church. That’s not too much to ask; in fact it’s good for us to shut out the busyness for a little while so we can truly grasp what transpired and be more deeply thankful.
So leave your phone in the car, teach and train and remind your children no running, no talking, no visiting (you might try practicing this at home for ten minutes several times), and practice that yourself: come in and sit down and work through the liturgy mindfully. When it’s all over, keep your children in hand quietly and depart into your vehicles.
For sure, neither you nor them will like not speaking to their friends; but that silence may just give a glimpse of the depth of the love of Jesus for us his Bride.