Black Friday vs. Good Friday
It’s interesting to think about these two Fridays that are so far apart from each other and how we respond to each of them.
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is the busiest shopping day of the entire year. It’s the best day to get great deals and expensive things at inexpensive prices.
Good Friday is the day set aside to remember and reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s the day when the banks are closed and schools cancel classes.
There are a lot of similarities to these days:
1. They both include rituals (A lot of people have their shopping schedule laid out three days before black Friday and millions of people all over the country go to church on Good Friday)
2. More people show up. A LOT more people shop on black Friday than other Friday and WAY more people go to church than normally do on a Friday.
3. It’s the same every year (generally). Every year there are good deals, long lines, tired people, etc… At church we talk about the same thing, maybe take communion, sit in silence and reflect on the death of our Savior.
But thinking a little about Black Friday vs. Good Friday the similarities stop there.
As Good Friday approaches, I want this year to be different. I don’t want to just reflect on the death of Jesus, have some crackers and juice and move on. I want to really let the weight, the power, the glory, the hope that comes with His death and resurrection to settle into my spirit and become part of me.
I want to really embrace what the day represents. Jesus died because of my failures. And God knows, leading up to this Good Friday I’ve sinned more times that I care to even admit.
Jesus died so that I wouldn’t have to. Jesus died even though He didn’t deserve it. Jesus died because He chose to even though He didn’t want to. Jesus died for me.
For my failures. He took the punishment I deserve. He was perfect, blameless, holy. I am human, sinful, a failure, desperate, lost, and scared. Jesus suffered more so I could suffer less.
Why me? Why him? Why would he choose to die for me? What did I ever do in my 25 years of failing, fearing, crying, and trying ever do to make it worth the greatest man to ever walk the earth to die for me?
I want to let that sink in this Good Friday and be changed by my reflection, be changed by my understanding, and be changed by my Savior.
He died. He came back from the dead. He’s alive today.
And it’s because of Him I can see, live, laugh, love and live.
Will you join me this Good Friday?
andy ::
