Grief and Good Friday
Let's remember...
Today is Good Friday.
Each year, we have the opportunity to remember Jesus and His sacrifice on this day: He was battered. Bloody. Broken. Tortured. Humiliated. All for us.
I've always appreciated the sacred space that this day brings, marveling that Jesus died in my place. However, I'm quick to jump over this day to get to the celebration of Easter. I skip over the grief to get to the joy.
I think to some extent, we all do this in our daily lives. I find myself pushing away uncomfortable feelings in the name of "having it all together."
Let me just be honest with you, reader. I don't have it all together.
On this day, I'm more aware of this truth than ever. It's Good Friday, and today I'm reminded that Jesus doesn't encourage me to minimize my feelings and sweep them under the rug in the name of "having it all together."
He walks through. He walks with. That means sitting in the grief. Sitting in the uncomfortable silence. Feeling the brokenness and the pain of waiting.
This year, friends, may we not skip over Good Friday. May we feel the holy weight of lament as Jesus cried out on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34, CSB).
Upon doing a Google search for the word "lament", there were several interesting definitions: a passionate expression of grief; to mourn aloud; wail; crying out in grief.
May we remember our Suffering Servant. Lean into the grief. Feel your feelings. Easter is coming, and we will celebrate with great joy when we get there, but today is Good Friday. May we not skip over the grief because it's more comfortable. Let's lament well today, and remember that our Savior sacrificed His life for ours.
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.