Good Friday Reflection 2019

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.” Luke 23: 44-48 (NIV)

For the sun stopped shining

Good Friday is a dark day, total darkness descended as Jesus breathed his last, and those around beat their breasts and cried out.

Reading it now it’s sometimes easy to think ‘don’t they remember what he’d told them?’ or ‘what about what was prophesied in the scriptures?’

For the sun stopped shining

In amongst the darkness and the pain and grief, how could they have remembered? The worst had happened, the man they had heralded as King was dead. The sting of death could not have been more painful.

For the sun stopped shining

Total darkness. Sound familiar? We all have seasons in life that feel like Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Periods of intense pain and grief. Periods that feel like total darkness.

For the sun stopped shining

And in those moments, it's all too easy to forget what God has promised us. Promises of strength. Promises of compassion. Promises of love.

For the sun stopped shining

And like us, those who followed Jesus can be forgiven then for forgetting. For crying out in anguish as they watched their friend and teacher die. For forgetting what he promised time and time again.

For the sun stopped shining

But, there’s a reason why it’s called Good Friday, because his promises are so, so Good! His promise of resurrection, His promise of beating death, His promise of eternal life.

So too are his promises of strength. His promises of compassion, his promises of Love.

So, whatever it is you’re facing today. Whether you’re in a period of grief and pain or not. Remember, it’s Friday…. But Sunday is coming, and the sun will shine once more.

Dear Lord,

Thank you that you sent your son to suffer and die on a cross for us.

Thank you, that you didn’t end the story there. Thank you that you keep your promises.

Help us to cling to your promises of love, strength and compassion when all around seems dark and we wait for the sun to shine again.

Amen