God Friday

Today is the historical day we look back at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We call it Good Friday. For years I have wondered why we refer to it as ‘good’ Friday. In German, for example, it is called Karfreitag. The 'Kar' part is an obsolete word, the ancestor of the English word "care" in the sense of cares and woes, and it meant mourning. So in German, this day is Mourning Friday. And that is what the disciples did on that day—they mourned. They thought all was lost.

Perhaps the English language refers to this as 'good' Friday because it is pivotal to our future as we look forward to facing life's challenges and overcoming them just as Jesus did. We know that he endured horrific things but we also know that because He pressed through, we have power to endure things too. Yes, there is agony in remembering the His suffering but we understand that "joy" comes in the morning! Death is not the winner...and later this weekend you and I will celebrate what makes all of us different from every other religion in the world: Jesus rose from the dead...resurrection power...the Champion!

 All is not lost. God is in this day. God is in everyday. You can call it what you want but I can assure you that if you face your giants, if you never lose hope and you never back down from adversity you will turn this Friday into a GOOD Friday.