Holy Weekনমুনা

Good Friday

What is the most difficult thing you’ve been through? Reading today’s passage on the crucifixion is not easy. We know that His sacrifice was out of love for us and was part of His Father’s plan. Although it’s heartbreaking to read this portrayal of suffering and death, we can’t ignore this critical piece of the story because without Jesus’ death there would be no Resurrection Sunday.

It would be nice to have a remote control for life so we could fast forward through the parts we don’t like or find boring and skip ahead to a happy ending. Unfortunately, we don’t have that option in hand.

There are many times in our lives when we can’t bypass suffering – all we can do is endure. During these times, we’re called to stand in faith. And if we take the time to be still and listen, God can highlight things we might otherwise miss. 

The gospel of Mark notes a few people who stood out for good in the midst of this brutal story.  Although some people chose a mob mentality of accusation or ran away and hid, there were a few others who stood fast.

These people stepped in to do what they could, when they could and include:

• Simon of Cyrene who helped carry the cross (v 21).
• Bystanders who offered Jesus a drink (v 36).
• A centurion who recognized Jesus was the Son of God (v 39).
• The women who followed Jesus and ministered to Him (v 40-41).
• Joseph of Arimathea, who cared for the body of Jesus and placed Him in a tomb (v 43-46).

We can find hope in the crucifixion story knowing this was the means by which Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave. In the midst of the larger narrative of hope, we can also find comfort in our ability to make a difference and serve with purpose.

We can minister to the Lord in this challenging time, and we can serve with great love, knowing that small acts of kindness matter in a big way. We all have something we can give to God and to others around us!