Walking the Path of Passion WeekНамуна

Good Friday

“… he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people” (Hebrews 9:15 NLT)

Good Friday is a tough day. Perhaps there is a desire to gloss over this day and quickly get to Easter Sunday, joining the chorus of “It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!” We find ourselves at a critical juncture during Holy Week: the Son of God has died. Those who earlier shouted "Hosanna!", now shout "Crucify him!" Life for the women and men who traveled closely with Christ - who heard his life-altering teachings, bore witness to his miracles - has now been turned upside down.

It’s a day filled with searing loss and grief. We acknowledge and confess this each time we recite The Apostles Creed, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. Yet through this act, reconciliation between God and man is made possible.

Without fully living into the grief and loss experienced on Friday, it is difficult to grasp the joy and ramifications that come with Resurrection Sunday.

What are the losses, heartaches, and grief that you are currently facing? Is it a medical diagnosis that is not what you wanted to hear? The loss of employment or income that your family was depending on? Is it a broken relationship with a sibling or friend that seems irreversible? Is it the sudden death of a child, parent or spouse? First, I am sorry that you are walking through this season. Whatever it is, this is something that has completely altered the landscape of your life. It has ripped at your heart and soul and you are not sure that you can carry on.

I don’t want to give you cliché answers to what you are facing or to ignore how this has changed your life. There is hope in the midst of the pain. Christ our High Priest, intercedes for us, and also understands. He has cried, faced betrayal, loss, abandonment and even death. And as we will celebrate in just a few short days, has conquered death! May you hold fast to Christ, and know that He is holding you in the midst of whatever you are facing.

Prayer: Lord, You are our comforter and bringer of hope. Be near to us as we walk through times of suffering and loss. May we find mercy and love in the midst of these seasons. May we hold fast to you, the one took death, and brought life. Amen.

Written by Rev. Alex Mandura (Wesley Seminary Doctor of Ministry student and Director of Spiritual Formation and Field Education)