HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONAL DAY SIX: GOOD FRIDAY

one church: columbus, ohio- Easter sunday

A GOOD AND DARK FRIDAY

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37

MEDITATIONAL THOUGHT:

What’s good about the words that describe Christ’s Friday schedule in Holy Week? The words on Christ’s Friday to do list: trial, crucifixion, death, and burial does not reflect a good day, but rather a dark day. Matthew records in his gospel a significant detail that from noon until 3pm, there was darkness in Jerusalem while Jesus was being crucified (Matthew 27:45). The darkness was literal but also symbolic of the wickedness that was happening on Golgotha's Hill, the place of Christ’s crucifixion. Both the events that filled Christ’s calendar made that fateful Friday both good and bad.

What made that sad day a glad day was that Jesus was fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies related to His death on the cross. Because Jesus was the promised Messiah, He was without sin and the light of His goodness was on display and it pierced the darkness. The Bible is clear, without the shedding of Christ’s blood there would not be the forgiveness of sin. Today, as recipients of Christ’s sacrificial death we have eternal life and that is something to celebrate.

There are times in our life that bring on the darkness of disappointment, discouragement, depression, and sometimes despair. On this good and dark Friday let those five words spoken in the Gospels, “and it came to pass,” lighten up your day. Thank God, the dark clouds do not come to stay; they come to pass. In the darkness of night weeping may occur but with time as we persevere, joy will come in the morning.

Pastor Greg shared in a recent sermon series, Master’s Degree, what to do in those times of darkness and disorientation: pray, process and persevere. If we follow this, we will discover God’s greater purpose for the darkness and difficulty we are experiencing, and God will give us a song in the night as we praise and worship Him through the storm. Thank God, it’s Friday but in the words of Tony Compolo, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’.”

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

What is an area of darkness or despair I am currently wrestling through? What could be God’s higher purpose for the dark clouds? What can I praise God for in the midst of the storm/darkness?

GUIDED PRAYER:

Father, when there is darkness in my life I find it difficult to pray or praise you and to believe the sunshine of hope will shine again. My sadness brings tears that often blur my ability to see your hands at work in my life and fear compounds my despondency. Today I choose to turn my face and faith toward Heaven and know you are holding me in your loving arms of Grace. Amen.

We would love for you to join us for Easter Services at One Church, Saturday 5:30pm and 7pm- Sunday at 9:00am, 10:30am and 12:00pm. CLICK HERE for more details.