Like I said yesterday, we know that there is a happy ending.

The thing is, they didn’t.

Did you ever think about the fact that Jesus was dead for a whole day before the Resurrection?  Did you ever think about what the disciples and the other followers of Jesus did today?

I wonder how many times they forgot about the Crucifixion, and thought about something else.  I wonder how many times their spirits lifted–just a little.  How many times one of them smiled about something–and then remembered.  It’s always like that when you’re sad.  You can forget  for a while, but it keeps coming back.  The over-hanging gloom engulfs you–again.

We know the end of the story.  They didn’t.

People don’t make a big deal about today.  They don’t really mention it.  Maybe because nothing comes to mind.  Nothing happened today.  Or maybe–just maybe–is it because they don’t want to go there?  They don’t want to venture near such despair?  We shy away from the Crucifixion too, just a bit.  Probably because it’s gory, and we don’t like that.  But we talk about Good Friday.  It has a name.  (It’s kind-of too big a deal to be ignored.)  I think we would just have Easter if we could.  Do we not talk about today because nothing happened?  But the people who were living the story couldn’t glaze over it like that.

Have you ever tried putting yourself in their place?

Sometimes when you read allegories it helps you.

But allegories always shorten the time.  It’s always a matter of hours.  The Crucifixion happens at night, and the Resurrection comes the next morning with the rising sun.

Don’t ask why, but this kinda’ bothers me.  If I ever write an allegory, I’m going to put in lots of time that represent today.  I don’t know why.  Maybe because I want more emphasis on the Resurrection.

Try to put yourself in Jesus’ follow’s shoes today.  Think about it.  And then think about it tomorrow.

Think about how much joy Easter really created.

Think about conquering death.

Think about what He saved you from.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
-Luke 19:10

It’s Good Friday.

What can I say?  It’s a weird day for us, because we know the end of the story.  It’s a day of terrific tragedy and injustice.  It’s a day of incredible love and redemption.

The cross.  It’s become mundane.  We wear jewelry adorned with crosses, and we don’t really think about the fact that we’re running around with miniature torture machines hung around our necks.

In Grace Mally’s book Will Our Generation Speak there is a picture her father drew of the Crucifixion, with the caption: famous last words: finally people will stop talking about Jesus now.

People thought they were quenching Him.  But they were not.  They were doing what God had planned for them to do when He sent His Son to earth–because they couldn’t stop the Resurrection,

Like I said before, we know about the Resurrection–already.  We know today.  We’ll know tomorrow.  We knew yesterday.  Which is what makes this such a weird holiday for us.  How do we handle the day our Lord died for us, knowing that He was going to rise again in three short days?

I think I’m going to celebrate today–celebrate my Savior and His incredible love for me.

Remember the cross today, and don’t forget it when Easter comes and you’re distracted trying to find plastic eggs.  Don’t forget it when Easter’s gone, and we think about Summer and the Fourth of July.

I don’t want to ever forget.  I want to think about it next Christmas.

I’ve been saying that Christmas was my favorite holiday.  Because I like how we celebrate it.  But when it comes to what it’s really about–not how we celebrate–I think I like Easter best.

I really do.