Good Friday

Faithfulservant

Faithfulservant

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Today I reflect on what my Jesus endured on this day over 2 thousand years ago. Amazing thing is that I am having a WONDERFUL day. I got a green light all the way to work. Im happy :) and I think rather than feel sorrow the Lord wants us to rejoice.

What about everyone else that observes this day? What is your emotional state? Do you do anything different?
 
Faithfulservant said:
What about everyone else that observes this day? What is your emotional state? Do you do anything different?
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I used to wonder why the heck call it Good Friday...what is so good about bing beaten and going to the cross?

At church we have a candle service tonight, 12 candles representing the disciples being extinguished one by one as scripture is read and they deny him as fortold. The Christ candle then lights all the candles we hold in the room, illimuning us, the spark within.
 
I guess we could call it Mourning Friday which is what the Germans call it.

Wil, you lost me on the denying Christ bit.. Can you explain it? I know Simon Peter denied Jesus 3 times but how did the others deny Him other than Judas who betrayed Him?

Heres a list for reference.

Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot

And where was it foretold that they each denied Him?

Thanks :)
 
it was a quiet day for me and mine.
Its a public holiday here in Oz, even the pubs are shut and that only happens on christmas, anzac day and good friday.
it was one of those days where i said "thank you" alot to God. He understands, and he did give us a beautiful day here, so I had alot tobe thankful for.
 
Mark 14 27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
" 'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.'28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

(same lines Mt 26:31 )

From the point of arrest to after the resurrection there is no mention of the disciples anywhere...only of the women at the cross w/Jesus...until...

9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
 
I dont see it.. but *shrugs* theres so many different interpretations of the bible in this world that Im not surprised.

thanks for answering wil.
 
Faithfulservant said:
I dont see it.. but *shrugs* theres so many different interpretations of the bible in this world that Im not surprised.

thanks for answering wil.
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?? I stated the passage where Jesus said they would ALL fall away...which was immediately followed by Peter sayin oh no, maybe them but not me lord. The disciples/apostles are usually mentioned individually or as a group if they are there. The last we here of any most of them is when they are chastised for falling asleep twice, when Jesus asked them to stay awake. After Peter lops of the ear and is told to backdown...that is the last we here of him at Jesus side and then onto the thrice denying... We hear about others around Jesus...new names of people and of the women that were with Jesus but the apostles are noticbly absent until after the resurection...and even then they don't believe it...all in hiding...all in denial.
 
Faithfulservant said:
yeah they dont shut down for Good Friday :( Even though I would trade any of the other 12 or so we get off.
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They? Who are they? . . . the slave drivers . . .

But lol you're in it for the money aren't you?

Do they give you double pay?

(oh pardon me I might be getting into your private (non-online) life here:eek::eek: Before I know it I'll be asking about your salary.)
 
Wow, I got the night off! No see ICU! Woo Hoo!

But last night took care of major emotional pain, and felt led in directing that person through the breath, through the simple fact that we could be together... as if family. I, in this instance the caregiver, her the care receiver. So much to be thankful for, dropping all the sorrow for joy, the joy of being, together, as One. Bound by earth below, freed by heaven above.
 
Saltmeister said:
They? Who are they? . . . the slave drivers . . .

But lol you're in it for the money aren't you?

Do they give you double pay?

(oh pardon me I might be getting into your private (non-online) life here:eek::eek: Before I know it I'll be asking about your salary.)
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Unlike Australia, the US does not consider Easter a "national" holiday, nor Good Friday, which is appropriate since Easter is not as commercialized as Christmas. However, those that are religiously inclined may take all or part of the day off, depending upon their religious convictions, with no repercussions.

Also, government officials in charge are authorized to give government workers up to an hour off without loss of pay, for those that do work on Good Friday.

There are other considerations alotted those Christians who work on Good Friday, such as turning off radios, TVs in the work place, no parties, or picnics, extended lunch hours to attend services.

However, Detroit, Michigan screwed up royally by having the Baseball opening day at Tiger Stadium at 1:00 PM on Good Friday...right in the middle of the "holy hours" of Good Friday...

Attendance fell way short of what the owners expected...go figure :rolleyes:
 
It's been a beautiful day here, started cloudy and cold and then became clear blue sky (I'm visiting family in Oregon). We went for a hike in the woods and my mother got off early today so we've had a nice afternoon together. I always ponder Jesus' action on this day, his whole submission to God out of grace, compassion, and forgiveness for all people. It's always amazing.

What is always most touching to me is not the beating and crucifixion itself, but that Jesus took on all the sins of the world, all of that suffering. That would hurt immeasurably more than the brokenness of the body. All people die, and many are broken. There are ordinary people who go through more physical pain and suffering than Jesus went through in situations of torture. But no one (in my belief) ever went through the kind of spiritual suffering that Jesus did when he took upon himself all of our spiritual pain, separation from God, sin, and suffering... for all ages and all people. I can't imagine the pain that would be, and every time I think of it, I always cry. I imagine it would be that much more because he was innocent. I wish I could take my burden from him, but I cannot. And this is the grace of God- to step in and carry me where I can no longer walk on my own- to be willing to bear the pain that I cannot bear. Simply because God loves me that much. The gift of this grace, manifested through Jesus, is just mind-blowing. I can do nothing more or less than stand still and mute in gratitude in the face of such love.

Even though it is a sad day if we think of Jesus' suffering, it is a good day when we think of Jesus overcoming suffering. It is a day of goodness.
 
Faithfulservant said:
Today I reflect on what my Jesus endured on this day over 2 thousand years ago. Amazing thing is that I am having a WONDERFUL day. I got a green light all the way to work. Im happy :) and I think rather than feel sorrow the Lord wants us to rejoice.

What about everyone else that observes this day? What is your emotional state? Do you do anything different?
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I awake in a somber mood. I actually forgoe the coffee, breakfast, chatting on the internet, reading the news, turning on the tv.

I just go to work and think about what Christ did for us (for me). I find I treat people with a bit more respect than usual, I don't get assertive, I look at my peers in a different light.

I make it a point to wish those I see, a "Happy Easter". Some respond with "Happy Holidays", others simply say "Thank you, same to you".

The "goodness" in Good Friday, is simply that WE (all of mankind), were ransomed, and the ransom was met and paid in full. We are free to grab hold of God and he is free to grab hold of us, because through Christ, we are without blemish before the Father.

For those that haven't caught it yet, "Good" is Germanic for "God" . Hence Good Friday, is actually "God's Friday"...
 
path_of_one said:
It's been a beautiful day here, started cloudy and cold and then became clear blue sky (I'm visiting family in Oregon). We went for a hike in the woods and my mother got off early today so we've had a nice afternoon together. I always ponder Jesus' action on this day, his whole submission to God out of grace, compassion, and forgiveness for all people. It's always amazing.

What is always most touching to me is not the beating and crucifixion itself, but that Jesus took on all the sins of the world, all of that suffering. That would hurt immeasurably more than the brokenness of the body. All people die, and many are broken. There are ordinary people who go through more physical pain and suffering than Jesus went through in situations of torture. But no one (in my belief) ever went through the kind of spiritual suffering that Jesus did when he took upon himself all of our spiritual pain, separation from God, sin, and suffering... for all ages and all people. I can't imagine the pain that would be, and every time I think of it, I always cry. I imagine it would be that much more because he was innocent. I wish I could take my burden from him, but I cannot. And this is the grace of God- to step in and carry me where I can no longer walk on my own- to be willing to bear the pain that I cannot bear. Simply because God loves me that much. The gift of this grace, manifested through Jesus, is just mind-blowing. I can do nothing more or less than stand still and mute in gratitude in the face of such love.

Even though it is a sad day if we think of Jesus' suffering, it is a good day when we think of Jesus overcoming suffering. It is a day of goodness.
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Indeed, Jesus wasn't killed...He put HIMSELF on the cross, for all of us. Only God could do something like that.

What with all the angels ready to bring him down and minister to him, and the fact that he had all that power of the almighty at his beck and call...he could have walked away from that cross in a NY second. But he chose to go through and finish it. And he did, and we are so much the better for it, and for him.
 
Quahom1 said:
Indeed, Jesus wasn't killed...He put HIMSELF on the cross, for all of us. Only God could do something like that.

What with all the angels ready to bring him down and minister to him, and the fact that he had all that power of the almighty at his beck and call...he could have walked away from that cross in a NY second. But he chose to go through and finish it. And he did, and we are so much the better for it, and for him.
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That's why I choose to see it as an action Jesus took. I believe Jesus had the power to do whatever he wished, and to preserve himself if he so chose. He submitted to the sin of the world- to the taking of his human life- and in so doing, demonstrated God overcoming it for all people everywhere.

To me, I read about his anguish in this choice in the Garden, asking God to take that cup from him if possible, and I see that he was fully human. He did not want his bodily life to end and he did not want to have that great suffering. Yet, his willingness to submit everything to God when it was clear there could be no other way allows me to see that he was fully divine. He was entirely emptied his human self and was a pure vessel for God to fill. Because of this, he had given up all his own desires and fears, and could walk to the cross not only without sin, but also without anger, without trying to escape, without resentment. He could ask for others forgiveness, understanding deeply the human limitations that caused such horrific actions. He could ask God to forgive them "for they know not what they do."

To me, his human struggle in the Garden and full submission to God demonstrates that bridge between humanity and the Divine. Without a real human struggle, a real body to be broken, a real mind and heart to suffer as people suffer, we could always dismiss his action as something "easy" for God to do. Showing it in human terms initiates us into a gratitude that culminates in our having the Divine unveiled enough that we can begin to have a glimpse of what it was in spiritual terms- that is, the torment that was taking on the sins of the world. Without his overcoming the human struggle and being completely given over to the divinity in him, we could not see that the struggle was entirely overcome. He would be just another man who suffered and died at the hands of those in power. His resolution to be steadfast to his purpose and to pour out himself, even to take on all people's suffering and sin, and to in that moment forgive... to me, this demonstrated God's grace and love living in and through him. His resurrection demonstrated that he is a living Christ, available to us now.
 
path_of_one said:
That's why I choose to see it as an action Jesus took. I believe Jesus had the power to do whatever he wished, and to preserve himself if he so chose. He submitted to the sin of the world- to the taking of his human life- and in so doing, demonstrated God overcoming it for all people everywhere.

To me, I read about his anguish in this choice in the Garden, asking God to take that cup from him if possible, and I see that he was fully human. He did not want his bodily life to end and he did not want to have that great suffering. Yet, his willingness to submit everything to God when it was clear there could be no other way allows me to see that he was fully divine. He was entirely emptied his human self and was a pure vessel for God to fill. Because of this, he had given up all his own desires and fears, and could walk to the cross not only without sin, but also without anger, without trying to escape, without resentment. He could ask for others forgiveness, understanding deeply the human limitations that caused such horrific actions. He could ask God to forgive them "for they know not what they do."

To me, his human struggle in the Garden and full submission to God demonstrates that bridge between humanity and the Divine. Without a real human struggle, a real body to be broken, a real mind and heart to suffer as people suffer, we could always dismiss his action as something "easy" for God to do. Showing it in human terms initiates us into a gratitude that culminates in our having the Divine unveiled enough that we can begin to have a glimpse of what it was in spiritual terms- that is, the torment that was taking on the sins of the world. Without his overcoming the human struggle and being completely given over to the divinity in him, we could not see that the struggle was entirely overcome. He would be just another man who suffered and died at the hands of those in power. His resolution to be steadfast to his purpose and to pour out himself, even to take on all people's suffering and sin, and to in that moment forgive... to me, this demonstrated God's grace and love living in and through him. His resurrection demonstrated that he is a living Christ, available to us now.
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Path, I do believe the man called Jesus was in trepidation of taking on the weight and foulness of the sins of all of mankind past/present/future. He was without sin to begin with, and had no reference point to work from (unlike us who are well versed in our human sinful nature). As a human, that must have been a daunting situation...considering the fact that he gave up his Godhead (Divinity), in order to understand man, as a "man".
 
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