The good in good friday is good for all of us

​Good Friday. It always feels like the greatest contradiction ever. A day that marks one of the most notorious murders ever - and yet, we call it a good day.

Maybe more than ever this year, I am leaning on the ever-present truth, the ever-present comfort, that comes from knowing we call Friday good because we know this day feeds right into our best day ever.

Because for Christians, Easter was and is and always will be our best day on earth. Easter is the day that once and for all says, we don't have to let fear determine how our story ends. When death can't dictate how your earthly story ends, nothing can.

When Jesus was enduring his anything-BUT-good Friday, he looked at a thief hanging on a cross next to him and said, "today you will be with me in paradise." A thief who hadn't been baptised or celebrated communion or stepped foot into a temple - Jesus looked at him and said, you're coming with me.

And he did. The thief went with him, simply because he believed he would. A thief's worst day ever became his best day ever, simply because he believed it was so.

I think about Jesus in that situation too. How much comfort did it bring his discomfort to know, with some of his last words, that he was assuring a thief that he never had to wait for one more good day to call any day good again.

How much comfort did it bring a Jesus, who KNEW the story wasn't ending on that cross, to promise a thief that his wasn't either.

How much hope did it bring Jesus to know that I - Keith - would one day read that story, and I too might come to know - and embrace - the truth that I no longer have to wait on a good day to be reminded that my anything-BUT-good days are leading to my best day ever.

I don't have to wait until I get to see my boys again. This IS a good day.

I don't have to wait until loneliness isn't lonely again. This IS a good day.

I don't have to wait until the house sells or until the economy improves. This IS a good day.

I don't have to wait until the right person is elected.

I don't have to wait until I'm healed.

I don't have to wait on the sun.

This. IS. A good day.

We are all wise enough to know that Friday always comes before Sunday. Every week, that's that pattern.

Well, maybe Jesus was helping us know, with some help from a thief, that our bad days almost always come before our good ones.

In fact, sometimes - maybe many times - our worst day ever comes just before our best day ever.

If you believe that this Friday, if you cling to that promise, then this indeed is a Good Friday. It is for you. And it is for me.

***

Jesus, I thank you for the reminder of Good Friday.

I thank you for the reminder that you were certain YOUR Friday was good so a thief - and me - and all of us - could feel certain all of OUR days are good.

It's not easy to remember that some days, I confess. Especially on the days that feel anything-BUT-good.

But I look to the Cross, and to the thief, and to your promise to him that his best day ever was right in front of him.

And I am re-assured; this IS a good day.

Thank you.

~me