Good Friday

DEAR LORD JESUS, today we remember the darkest of all days—Good Friday. The events that occurred two millennia ago hardly qualify as good, until we put them in context. Only when we consider what those horrors ultimately achieved for us—our salvation—can we call them good, supremely good. You, the Lord and Master of all things, were betrayed and brutalized by people you created. They despised you for rewriting their rules and expectations, and they mercilessly took your life—killing you, the Giver of all life! They did it out of jealous greed, terrible ignorance, and despicable motives, and they represent all of us. We can scarcely grasp the agony of your death. That Friday was so dark that even the sun hid in deep grief.

Jesus, we are grateful—exceedingly grateful—that your story did not end on that darkest of days. Even as we somberly remember what happened, we know what took place three days later. You arose with blazing light and glory as you conquered our worst enemy—death itself. Light of light, true God from true God—you did it for us! We want to honor you and give you thanks. Amen.