Good Friday comes before Easter

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Originally Published in the South Jetty Newspaper

I hope you are able to read this in time to find yourself a Good Friday service. Even better, visit a church that offers a Maundy Thursday service, too. These days, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday come before we arrive at Easter or Resurrection Sunday. I am looking forward to gathering again at Roberts Point Park for our Community Easter Sunrise Celebration, but Resurrection doesn't come without Good Friday. 

I love the old tradition that I learned of reading St. Gregory of Nyssa: the Devil believed he was in control and had great plans for Good Friday. He had waited until the opportune time, and finally stirred up a mob to convince the religious leaders and political leaders that it was best to assassinate this man who some believed to be the Messiah. Jesus, who was proclaiming the presence of a heavenly kingdom that would reign in the hearts of people, not from a palace.  "Love one another," was the command to those who would follow him. After that Maundy Thursday Supper, as he and his friends celebrated Passover, he told them he would be the new sacrificial lamb. From then on, whenever they ate and drank together again in that way, they would be remembering him. 

He spent that night in the garden in anguish, praying and pleading with his followers to stay awake with him. One of those closest to him went to the clergy and arranged to have him arrested. He went to kiss Jesus to identify him and signal the opportunity to arrest him. It seemed the Devil's plans were unfolding perfectly. 

After a speedy trial-by-angry-mob and some haggling about where the blame should rest, Jesus was taken with two other criminals to be killed in a common show of power at that time. Crucifixions helped the state scare people into submission. Nails through hands and feet and a slow suffocation to death in a visible place for all to see. After he died, Jesus was laid in a tomb; apparently the Devil's plan worked and he would now hold the Son of God. 

That Saturday is referred to as Holy Saturday, the Sabbath when Jesus lay dead in a tomb. Then the tables were turned between Jesus and the Devil during the apparent rest. We call it the Harrowing of Hell. It has inspired great icons and other works of art. The ultimate joke was on the Devil. The sinister trickster was out-tricked. Those who had been bound in Hell were released. The gates of Hell could not stand and never would again, against the kingdom of God. 

The faithful women who were his disciples and followers went to the tomb expecting to find him dead. Mary recognized Jesus who was there calling her name.  She became the first Apostle of the Resurrection (sent by Jesus to tell the others.) That moment is what we celebrate in Easter. Resurrection Sunday is Glorious and full of light and life. The experience of Resurrection also happens for us in the midst of our lives, but it does not come without Good Friday. It is through our suffering that we are awakened with Jesus to live the life eternal life he offers us when we follow his command to love, and become citizens of his kingdom.  

If you do not attend Maundy Thursday or Good Friday services, read Luke chapters 22-23. It is from darkness that the light shines, it is after the night that we appreciate the sunrise. 

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