A Unique Good Friday: Part 1

Good Friday...the day we set aside to remember the day our Lord was crucified. A day that means many things to many people. Many wonder why we call it good. It is the day  that Christ died after all, so what is so good about it. One person reminded me today that good in the English language used to mean holy, so in essence we are really saying Holy Friday. Others say that it is good because without it there is no sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins, but with it our sins are forgiven. Still another person asked me if  thought Jesus would use the term "good" when referring to his own crucifixion. Well, that I can't answer. I find it hard to believe that while the crucifixion was occurring that would be a term he would have used to describe his fate, but then again he knew it was necessary.

All of these thoughts were swirling through my head as the day began. The fact that we are coming to the end of the semester and all of the papers and projects are due soon did not seem to matter. After all this day wasn't meant to be spent reflecting on all I have to do, but on all that has already been done for me. Why does it take a day being set aside for this specific purpose to get me to slow down and consider what really matters? Why do I not take some time each day to see the larger story of God both in my life and surrounding me?

After class this morning, we had an SGA sponsored Good Friday service. At this service, I was asked to say the words of institution for communion. This was a brand new experience for me and I was nervous as I got up to speak. Luckily, a friend of mine had the words of institution typed up. As I spoke the words, the power of what I was saying really started to set in and I was overcome by emotion. Then, it came time for me to invite others to the table, but how could I invite others to a table that I am unworthy to take of myself? Why is it that Jesus would not only invite me to his table, but also have me invite others to the table? And why on earth would Jesus be willing to go to such great lengths to forgive me and then invite me in?