March 21, Good Friday                                                    John 18: 1-19:42

 

 

 

This reading is one that we are all familiar with.  In these verses, the writer of John describes to us the details of Good Friday.  Jesus’ betrayal, humiliation, abandonment, physical and mental torture and, ultimately, his death.

 

Today we know the rest of the story.  Jesus’ resurrection and victory over death is the good news the Easter story brings to us all.  Good Friday, while terribly troubling, is only part of the story.  That said, I can only imagine the horror and fear the disciples, as well as those who believed in and loved Jesus, must have felt that day.

 

The new world they hoped for, believed in and worked toward probably died for them that day along with Jesus.  Where was the Lord in all that had transpired?  I can remember even as a child reading the Easter story and wondering, what’s good about Good Friday.  It seemed to me it would have been better called Bad Friday.

 

Through my own experiences in life, I have come to believe at my core that life is truly a gift from God.  I have also come to understand that the life we lead not only comes with great joys, but also with great trials and hardships.  For myself, it is these hardships and sadly tragedies that have, in the end, been the greatest drivers in my spiritual journey and learning.  They have taught me the importance of trying to enjoy every moment and every person that touches my life. To one extent or another I believe we are all on a similar path.  Our Savior walked the same path and suffered the same human suffering, but through it all God was with him and had a place for him beyond this realm.  I have no doubt that God has the same plan for all of us.

 

For me, the analogy is fairly simple and helps me through difficult times.  The wonderful news of Easter could not exist with out the trials of Good Friday.  

Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

~ Phil Parizeau