Good Friday

The day that we remember that Jesus died for us.

The day that starts Spring Break for many students across our country, the day that kids make plans for all the fun they're going to have next week, the day we tell each other "have a good weekend" and go home and dye eggs and stuff plastic eggs with sugary treats and think about where we'll hide them so the kids can run around to find as many as possible and then tell the kids "share!" and try to avoid the tears of one kid who didn't get as much sugar as the other one.

The day that we call "Good" even as the people there that day, Jesus' disciples and family, would have probably told you it was the worst day of their lives.

My refrigerator is covered with Easter crafts. Bunnies, crayon-colored eggs, little yellow chicks. I'm wondering if this is really the best way to remember what we're remembering today, the day that Jesus died for us. I'm feeling an uneasiness about the jelly beans and plastic grass and baskets filled with junk. I'm feeling like, if we REALLY appreciate what Jesus did for us, if we REALLY respect and adore and love Him, is this the best we can do? Candy and a lie about a bunny that delivers it? Why have we bought into this? Why have we BOUGHT this? I'm sure I could do some research and find out the number of millions of dollars that are spent on Easter bunny nick knacks and candy for this thing we call a holiday. I'm sure it rivals Halloween for dollars wasted. And I'm really truly positive that this is something that makes Jesus sad.

We pretend like the eggs are "to symbolize new life" or something. But we know. We're getting caught up in the world's view of what Easter is. And where is Jesus in any of it? Where is our love and appreciation for what Jesus has done? Where is our somber recognition of what really happened on this day, so many years ago? Today should be a day of reflection, quiet, not chaos running around to decorate the last little thing and hide the last plastic egg before the weekend's festivities. What we're doing today is not honoring our Lord and Savior. Let's all try to think a little more on Him today, and a little less on the rest of it, ok?

For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.
~ Romans 11:36