April 3rd, 2026
Read: Luke 23; John 13:12
Known to us as Good Friday, what we remember today is good only because we know the other half of the story. For centuries, Christians called today “God’s Friday”, “Long Friday” or even “Sorrowful Friday”, in addition to “Good Friday”. All these words are accurate. It is a day when God acted in human history in a way that changed everything. It was, for the disciples, a long and sorrowful day. It is good because it ushered in the Kingdom of God, at least in part. It was, and is, all of these things.
The man the disciples thought was their Messiah was whipped, jeered, and nailed to the cross. They watched him die a slow and painful death, unable to help him. They watched him surrender to the authorities they thought he would conquer. They thought it was over – that everything they had hoped for had been wrong. They knew He had planned to do something to save them from oppression, but this was beyond their imaginations.
A Holy God experienced the epitome of ungodliness on the cross. Crucifixion was intended not only to kill but to shame, degrade, and mock enemies of Rome. It was used only for those declared worthless – inhuman. Many historians believe that even the most gruesome depictions of Jesus’ death in art and movies barely scratch the surface of what was experienced. He bore the consequence of sin – the weight of shame and death – so that you and I could live with Him in freedom both now and forever.
When Jesus was washing his disciples’ feet the day before his death, he asked his disciples a poignant question – a question that I refer to as the “Good Friday Question”. He says:
“Do you understand what I have done for you?”
Today, I invite you to reflect on that question and the lyrics from a poem/song by Steve Williamson called the “Passion Song”. Take some time to sit in silence, feeling the weight of this day.
Passion Song
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you sit beside me, and let me wash your feet?
O Lord, I’ll sit with you.
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you eat beside me, and on my body feed?
O Lord, I’ll eat with you.
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you pray beside me in dark Gethsemane?
O Lord, I’ll pray with you.
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you stay beside me through my trial of mockery?
O Lord, I’ll stay with you.
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you walk beside me on the road to Calvary?
O Lord, I’ll walk with you.
Christian, do you love me?
Do you love me more than these?
Will you stand beside me as I die upon this tree?
O Lord, I’ll stand with you
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord
I will stand with you.
Sinner, will you love me?
Will you love me more than these?
For I’m the one to save you from the bonds of slavery.
O Lord, I will love you.
My Lord, I will love you.
