By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
I am writing this at a little after 5pm on Good Friday.
   Each year, I go through this day in my mind thinking about what transpired 2000 years ago.
                       That is what got me thinking about the good of Good Friday.
                       Think of some of those involved in the events of this day.
The risky rulers
    It was at this time that Joseph and Nicodemus were getting the body of Jesus to the tomb.
                       Nicodemus was called by Jesus ‘the’ teacher of Israel in John 3.
           Both he and Joseph were rulers in Israel which implies they were a part of the Sanhedrin.
                                   At a time of great hostility from so many:
these two men risked their reputations and revealed that they were public followers of Jesus.
The fleeing followers
           Of the 12—Judas has hung himself and 10 others have fled the scene.
           As the Sabbath is nearing—have you ever wondered where they were?
           Did they flee ‘alone’ or did they dare to meet somewhere?
           What would they be thinking and what would they be planning?
           I can only slightly imagine the agony they were enduring at this time.
    But here is the ‘good’ that struck me about them—they didn’t flee forever.
                 How easy that would have been, but they did not do it.
Nine of them will meet again with John on Sunday night—turned into ‘fearless followers of Jesus.’
The dedicated disciple
                       And, then, there is John.Â
Rightly is he called the disciple Jesus loved.
He was at the cross and he is entrusted with the mother of Jesus.
As a minister, I have had to comfort people who have suffered loss.
Certainly, easier if someone has lived a long life and died peacefully.
Can you imagine trying to provide solace to Mary after watching the brutal way in which her son died?
The suffering Savior
How many times do we want ‘the good guy’ to get off the mat and win the fight?
                       How many times do we wait for good to triumph over evil?
                                   On Friday—that couldn’t be seen.
                       Yet—Jesus had the power to make all the suffering go away.
           With one word—thousands of angels would have destroyed those who hurt Him.
           However, He knew what He HAD to do if He was going to have relationship with you and me.
           So, He endured the cross—despising the shame—looking forward to the joy that would come.
                                   He willingly died so we could have life.
                                   That is the ultimate ‘good’ of Good Friday.