I grew up in a church that celebrated Easter, but we didn’t talk a lot about Good Friday. We were quick to say that Jesus died and was buried and then followed it with, “but Sunday’s coming!” We know the end of the story—Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t far behind His death; but we need to give ourselves the opportunity to reflect and realize the grief that must have taken place from Friday to Sunday.
Last year, I was in the middle of my own season of grief during the time of Lent leading up to Easter. I was participating in a Lent devotional from She Reads Truth and was so thankful that in the weeks leading up to Easter, I was given time to process and walk out the personal grief I was experiencing, as well as thinking about the last days Jesus walked on earth before He was crucified. I was grateful for the fact that each day didn’t end with “but Sunday’s coming.” It gave me opportunity to sit in my grief in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
“Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!” Matthew 27:50-54
What must the disciples have been thinking after Friday night?
How did Mary feel after she watched the body of her son be taken off the cross and carried to a tomb?
How did Peter respond, knowing he had just denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus told him he would?
In that moment, they weren’t thinking “but Sunday’s coming!” They were grieving the loss of their friend, son, and leader. It would have been incredibly easy to lose sight of the hope Jesus left them with because of the great loss they were experiencing.
The night of Good Friday the earth quaked, as if the whole earth was groaning the death of our Savior. The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and some of the dead were resurrected. Can you even imagine? It’s hard to wrap my mind around what it must have been like to be in Jerusalem that night. We have hope, not only because of what happened Sunday, but because it couldn’t have happened without the death of Jesus on Friday
As you go about today and tomorrow, give yourself some room to reflect and grieve. Read the story of the death of Jesus in the Gospels, but wait until Sunday to read about the hope of the resurrection. As believers and followers of Jesus, the story doesn’t end here, but we need to ask some hard questions about why Jesus did this. Why would He willingly be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world? Why did He take it all on Himself?
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin’s claims.” Romans 6:6-7
It’s because of the cross of Christ that we are no longer slaves to our own sin, but heirs with Christ.
It’s because of the cross of Christ that we can walk in freedom.
It’s because of the cross of Christ that we have full access to God.
This is a Good Friday, but comes with an intertwining of grief and hope.
When Mary Margaret isn’t coordinating leadership events for women or hosting the {MARKED} podcast, you can find her watching Florida Gator football, cooking with friends, or reading a good book. She loves teaching God’s Word, Mexican food, a good pair of jeans, and calling Nashville home. Follow her on Twitter: @marymargaretc.
