Good Friday

One of the most sacred days on the Christian Calendar, Good Friday is often misunderstood by many--inside and outside of the Church.

Since this is "Controversial", let me start with the use of the Cross to symbolize Jesus. I've never really understood this obsession. This is another case of the Church taking an existing tradition with a very negative world image and altering it to fit the need. Don't get me wrong, I understand that Christ's death was a pivotal point in the history of the world. A deciding factor in God's perfect (though mostly unknown) plan. But the cross wasn't invented for Jesus--thousands of others were crucified before Him and thousands more after Him.

In much the same way Baptism and Halloween were both pagan traditions the Church took and manipulated for their purpose. [Unfortunately, we've given Halloween back.] I realize that baptism was used as a tool to bridge the immense gulf between the poly-theist and mono-theist (Christ-centered) faiths. But is was still a pagan tradition--but that is a conversation for a much later time. [But that little teaser, should be enough to tick off a few folks--though that isn't my purpose.]

Back to the cross. Yes, the old testament scriptures give some prophetic guidance as to the event, but they mainly point to a death of disgrace. Let's be honest, what form of public execution isn't seen through an eye of disgrace? Public beheading did take place back then. Can you imagine if that form of execution would have been used? We would all be wearing little axes on our necklaces, or have them dangling from our rear-view mirrors.

So if Christ's torturous death on the cross isn't so special in my eyes, do I hold Good Friday in the same esteem as so many others who call themselves Christian? Yes!

As I see it, Good Friday has three imperative aspects--and none of them involve a cross per se.

1. The willing, complete, and perfect sacrifice of the Christ--God's Son, part of the Trinity. How He presented Himself is not so important to me, except to the degree in which it fulfilled prophecy.
2. The tearing of the shroud. That curtain that once separated God from His people was ripped asunder through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. This event alone allows us to speak directly to God, through the intercession of His Son, and the 'groans' of the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ's dissension into Hell--and the subsequent vanquishing of our burden of sin which put Him there.

Good Friday is indeed "Good"--for us. But when we celebrate the cross rather than the man on it, we loose the point, and soil His total sacrifice.

PS: What ever happened to all those dead folks who were resurrected at the moment of Christ's death?

Always Remember: "Whose you are, and at what cost."

Palm Sunday

It is Palm Sunday...one of my very favorite days in the Church Calendar.

The crowd cheering the coming Messiah, Deliverer. The masses glimpse the freedom from bondage they so desperately crave. Of course, they fail to see that their bondage to the Romans was nothing compared to their spiritual bondage--the very bondage Jesus came to deliver them from.

I get chills when I think about my Jesus--eyes, arms, and heart open wide--pushing through the crowd of excited Jews and Gentiles alike. All rightfully praising His name. All the while the Pharisees look on with scorn. I imagine Jesus seeing them out of the corner of His eye, and His smile growing broader knowing that this outpouring of love so bothered them. I strain to imagine the energy (maybe even that of the Holy Spirit) buzzing in the air when Jesus answers their rebuke with: "...the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40)

Can you imagine? Not only will every knee bow, and even tongue confess that Jesus Chris is Lord, but all of God's creation--the stones themselves--will declare the sovereignty of my Jesus! The same Jesus that has granted me the rights as His Co-heir!
I LOVE Palm Sunday!!!

Always Remember: "Whose you are, and at what cost."