Is It Really a “Good” Friday?

I’ve spoken to a number of people lately who object to this day being called “Good” Friday and I’ve observed that they are those who are more acquainted with suffering than most.  It’s not that they don’t see the ultimate “good” in this day – they are well aware of the salvation Christ’ssuffering bought for us.  But they don’t ignore the brutality and suffering that Jesus endured on this day.  

Well, like them, I’ve known more than a fair bit of suffering, both my own and that of others.  And suffering doesn’t feel “good,” even when it results in the greatest miracle of all – our salvation.  

In my own suffering, the supreme comfort came in knowing that Christ suffered in His body as I and others have suffered in ours.  His suffering was of course greater than anything we could imagine.  But there came a unique kinship with Jesus when I was diagnosed with cancer and as I began to walk the Road of Suffering.   That kinship brought a closer relationship with Jesus than I had ever known before.

When my friend Kristi was going through the worst of her cancer, her lungs were being drainedof cancer fluid and the pain was tremendous.  She didn’t think she could take one more momentof pain.  Then in her spirit she saw Jesus on the hard wood of the cross.  He took her hand and the two suffered together.  

I want that for myself and for every cancer patient I meet.  I want our suffering to bind us to Jesus in a real and tangible way. I want us to put our hand in Christ’s that we might suffer with Him and He with us.  I want our suffering to be sanctified by His suffering.  And I want our suffering to be not just bearable, but because we are one with Christ, even beautiful.  

So as I embrace this day called “Good,” I will not shy away from His suffering.  I will look, even gaze, at a crucifix instead of an empty cross.  I will remember His suffering and perhaps I will even weep for what He endured.  I will remember that I am united with Jesus in His suffering.And I will also remember that Sunday is coming when the “Good” of Friday will become the “Glory” of Easter.

Rev. Cathie Young