Greetings on this Good Friday,
I am looking forward to seeing all of you this Sunday at our 10am Easter service at the Port Angeles High School. Our online congregation is able to join our service stream via the same link as always.
May you find a bit of quiet time to reflect on the meaning and power of this day. It was on this day that our Lord hung on the cross. It was on this day that he cried out to heaven asking God that heartbreaking question, why hast thou forsaken me? It was on this day that Jesus breathed out the words, it is finished and then breathed no more.
Pause as you read this to take time to ponder all that followed that final breath of Jesus; the proof of his death when speared in his side; the grim removal from the cross; the grief as his followers carried his corpse to the tomb; the finality when the stone was rolled into place and the Romans stood guard.
Think too of the overwhelming sadness of the absolute defeat and all the questions and thoughts swirling around. How could Judas have done such a thing? I thought Peter of all people would have stood with him. What do I do now? What does it all mean?
We call this day, of all days, Good, for it is indeed good and we know it to be so because we know how the story ends. We know what the disciples did not yet understand. We know that Easter is just around the corner. But for today, this day of all days, dont move too quickly to that celebration. Allow the sorrow of the moment to linger. Our faith is made stronger by enduring what others flee: the questions, the doubts, the sorrow.
Boldly ask the hard question, Why Lord? Why did you have to die? And listen deeply as the Spirit whispers the answer for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And let the Spirits answer become personal,for the wages of (my) sins is death.
Only by enduring the weight and meaning of Good Friday will we truly understand the celebration of Sunday and the joy of the refrain: He is risen!
I look forward to seeing you at the High School and online.
Blessings all,
Pastor Tim