Finding Hope in Darkness

Finding Hope in Darkness | Good Friday Reflection

Good Friday is a special day that believers remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the true Messiah.  On this day, we remember the pain and suffering of Jesus. 

Jesus was absolutely sinless and perfect, yet they still hated and tortured him. They chose to crucify him instead of Barabbas, a scoundrel and criminal. However that did not restrain Jesus from loving. 

I imagine the disciples experienced feelings of despair on that first Good Friday. Their teacher who had turned water into wine and healed the sick was facing extreme darkness. Jesus had been arrested, tortured, and crucified. Everything they had experienced up to that point seemed meaningless. Everything they believed seemed shattered and they felt hopeless. 

 In their culture, the Roman crucifixion was the ultimate excruciating sentence. The Romans saw it as the end, but for Christ - it was just the beginning. Jesus understood the cross in a way that no other man had ever accomplished before. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he cried “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) Jesus willingly died for the purpose of His Kingdom and to show the world love and grace.  As John 3:17 says “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  Jesus gave his life for our sins, so that we could know true freedom.

What men thought for evil, God meant for good. 

This is what love and sacrifice truly look like. As we remember the sorrowful day when Christ our Savior hung on a cross, may we forever thank Him for his tremendous sacrifice - his own life. 

Good Friday is a reminder that despair is not the end of the story.  Regardless of how hopeless your situation might be, there is still hope.  Even in the depths of despair, there is a glimmer of hope. 

When Jesus cried “It is finished” it looked as though all He claimed to be was finished too. The story didn’t end there, even when it seemed hopeless. Three days later, Jesus arose from the grave and conquered death. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the greatest act of love the world will ever know. 

May we remember this Good Friday the power of the cross that brought redemption to mankind. Let us find hope in the message of Good Friday and may it inspire us to reach out to others, offering them the same hope and love that has been demonstrated towards us. 

Good Friday is not the end of the story. Easter morning is coming.