“Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Around three oʼclock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Letʼs see if Elijah will come to take him down!” But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was Godʼs Son!”  Mark 15:33-39

On this day in many congregations, the church participates in a Tenebrae Service – or traditionally know as a service of light. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness”. It is used to recreate the emotions of the events of Good Friday. Any opportunity we have to take a full day and remember the Cross of Jesus Christ and the centrality the cross is to have in our lives is a good day — something good to do on Good Friday.

Why is it called Good Friday? There is no clear answer of the origin of “Good” Friday. Some say it comes from the phrase “G-d’s Friday”. That seems reasonable. But others point to the fact that what Christ did for all of humanity was so “Good”, that even though it involves his death on a cross, it is Good for all people. There are many ways to honor the day of Good Friday.  Some congregations hold a service from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm — the traditional hours that Christ hung on the cross. During those three hours, sermons are delivered on the seven last words of Christ. Those seven last words from the Gospels include:

“Father Forgive, for they do not know what they are doing.”

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

“Woman here is your son; son here is your Mother”

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me”

“I am thirsty”

“It is Finished”

“Father, Into Your hands I commend my Spirit”

So, with so many options, do something good, and attend a Good Friday service today. After all, G-d is Good all of the time.

Pastor Dave