“Life is breaking out all over. Let’s all welcome its nearness and go upward and forward together.” Jack Hayford
Today is Good Friday and Good Friday might seem like a morbid holiday. Christians everywhere celebrate when the Romans crucified Jesus. How bloody and cruel a way to die. Maybe you are not Christian. Keep reading. There is something for you in this post.
Why do we celebrate? Christian theology teaches that when Jesus died on that cross over 2,000 years ago, He died for the world’s sins. The New Testament word for sin is an archery term that means missing the mark. We all miss the mark at times. We are imperfect people. The concept of sin might seem strange to some but one glance around our communities shows it is still valid.
The gospel of Matthew states that the curtain in the temple in Jerusalem that separated the holy of holies was torn in two right after Jesus died. The holy of holies was where God’s Spirit dwelt, according to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). The high priest went in once a year on Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) to offer the blood of animal sacrifice and incense. When Jesus died that curtain tore because His sacrifice opened up a way for anyone to enter God’s presence.
Hebrews 9:12 says about Jesus’ sacrifice, “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” In other words, His sacrifice means we can enjoy fellowship with the triune God (God in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Death is a part of life, and so is rebirth. Leaves on trees die and fall off. In the spring, they come back. Flowers wither and die but also come back in the spring. From fall to spring, we see the cycle of death and rebirth dramatically. Jesus died on that Friday in a horrible manner. However, on Sunday, He rose again from the dead.
“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay,” the angel proclaimed to two women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, according to Matthew 28). They came to Jesus’ tomb to honor their dead loved one. What those two women encountered was a miracle. Miracles happen when we least expect them and when we are looking at what we lost. But like that Friday so long ago, miracles still happen.
“The very thought of the Resurrection should fill our skies with our songs of triumph.” Jack Hayford
What can we take away from the Good Friday and Easter stories as trauma survivors? Just as Jesus rose from the dead, the false selves we created as children for survival must die. We will also experience resurrection as He did. Our true selves will rise from where we buried them. It happens through the process of recovery. We go through a long “Saturday.” St. John of the Cross, a medieval monk, called it the “dark night of the soul.” If we continue in recovery, we will experience our Sunday resurrection.
What recovery stage are you in? Are you on Friday when you are dying to your false self? Or are you on Saturday when you wait for a resurrection? Perhaps you are one of the blessed ones who made it to Sunday. Maybe you are like me and are somewhere between Friday and Saturday. Wherever you are, know that you will make it to Sunday if you persist in recovery.
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Resources
Good Morning: An Invitation to Resurrection Praise by Jack Hayford
The picture is of my sister and me on Easter.
I didn't know much about Good Friday till I read this so thank you and that pictures is absolutely adorable
Praise Jesus for His sacrifice for us. Jesus is our healer and I am forever grateful! We are not alone on this healing journey. Our Lord is Risen and through Him we are being healed. Love you, dear Gina and pray that you have a blessed Easter. <3