Why do they call this Good Friday? What can be good about it? Someone died. Someone was hurt?
Yes, thats true, but lets go back....way back in time...

Good Friday or Black Friday- as its sometimes known. There are memories when someone who
pretended to be a friend or a nice person....was not.
And yes, we get lots of that even with friends and
family...those who pretend to be nice and are not...
but on with the story...

In this case the friend was Judas Iscariot...who
convinced the guards to arrest Jesus. Betrayed.
Yes betrayal. After being arrested Jesus was then
condemned by the high priest for blasphemy. Yes,
it gets worse. The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate
gets involved. Charges of subversion. But for some
reason both Pontius Pilate and even King Herod cannot find guilt. Further, Pilates wife has a dream
the night before, about Jesus. And even Pilate wants
to wash his hands of the whole mess...its too late...
the crowds want justice, crucifixtion and death!!

So this gentle-man, Jesus, carries a cross to the place
of his crucifixtion. And can you imagine for just a second...being up on a cross with nails in your hands and feet for six hours, the pain...the crying...the tears...followed by death!!??

Jesus body is placed in a tomb. Even a large boulder
blocks the way. But after an earthquake...people begin to realize...this had to be (truly) the Son of
God....and on the third day Jesus rises from the dead.

And here is the simplified story we hear year after year to remind us not only of Good Friday but also
a story of betrayal. Suffering and insults (like we sometimes have in our own lifetime) and the importance of the need to forgive. Yes to forgive, on this great Friday, Holy Friday, Good Friday....

And to think this all began a long time ago...the simple story of a gentle-man who died for us.....

Good Friday is perhaps similar to spring, time of a new beginning. And remember, just as each day is a new beginning, its never too late to discover within ourselves some kindness and love we can offer to our fellow men. The love that was shown long long ago by a very gentle-man....