The Lessons of Good Friday

The first point is, why do we call it "Good Friday?" 

I consulted the trusty internet and discovered that there is a bit of a mystery about this.  Some thought that this phrase could have come from the German, Gute Freitag. Turns out the Germans don't call it Good Friday either; they refer to it as Sorrowful or Suffering Friday.  Then there are the Danes.  The Danish people refer to it as Long Friday.

Most Christians would say that Good Friday comes from the fact that Christ, by His Death, "showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing." So, good in this instance means holy, and in the Eastern churches Good Friday is referred to as Holy and Great Friday.

What other lessons are there?

• That true peace comes from true forgiveness.  Jesus forgave everyone who harmed him and asked His father to forgive them while he was on the cross.
• That true love is shown by sacrifice.  Giving rather than getting is a much higher purpose.
• That when we know what we are to do in life, we should get about it, and not worry what others are doing in that regard.
• That sorrow shows our humanity, and that those who mourn and are sorrowful will one day know what it is for Jesus to "wipe away every tear."
• That even the most hardened and crusted people can be shaken to their core when they come to believe in Jesus. (Roman Centurion)
• That because of Jesus, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
• That even when it seems we can't go on, God will send help.  (Simon, from Cyrene)
• That more than 2,000 years ago, God walked on this earth, and showed us that He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Easter might be that time in the year when we revisit our promises of early January, to see how we are doing with a quarter of the year already past.  It could be a time of renewal, of examining, of probing this gift of life that we have.

May your long, sorrowful, suffering, holy and great Friday be meaningful.