But was it Good?

Well… that depends on who you ask.

I’ve recently revisited an incredibly dense systematic theology textbook - no… wait don’t leave!

In this book, Theological Worlds by W. Paul Jones, he outlines how we each have our own embedded ideas about who Jesus is, who Jesus was, and why Jesus was on earth. Appropriate for Good Friday right? How are we going to be able to answer what the point was without an awareness of those things? Jones’ book is dense so we are not diving deep here. Don’t worry.

Good Friday shapes up to look different depending on which of these colors you are, what are you struggling with?

Are you lonely? Feel Overlooked? Things are never enough? The message of Good Friday may be that you are enough, Jesus came just for you, to be vulnerable for you and there is nothing you can do or not do to change the truth that God sees you and is with you.

Is the world too far gone? Evil too prevalent? What’s the point of so much struggle? Good Friday may mean Jesus is on our side, Easter may mean that the world will actually change.

Do you ever feel like the devil is on your back? No matter what, you make the wrong choice, you are too far gone? You may see Good Friday as when you “come to Jesus.” You see how you are not supposed to be the reason for your own salvation, but Jesus is. Easter may be when you see that God loves everyone, even the unlovable, even you!

This is why your life experience matters. You can move into different colors or you can stay in the same one all your life. Your experiences mean that what Good Friday means to you may change. You may change and so may who Jesus is to you. And that’s ok! There’s no one right answer here. The point is that Jesus, on Good Friday is all of these things, was all of these things, and brings MANY promises into Easter.

I invite you to see Good Friday how you need to see it this year. See Easter as Good News that is personal just for you. Easter can be hope to the hopeless and a Miracle, and when everything changes. Choose which parts speak to you the best. You matter in this - there is no one right answer.

What was taught as Good Friday to you in church?

What about Easter?

Is there another way that means more to you?

If you aren’t sure where you fall, reach out. I’m happy to help answer questions.

May your reflections during Holy Week be a blessing to your life.