Sorrowful Friday

By embracing the sorrow of Good Friday, we can experience a deeper joy in Easter

The name "Good Friday" can indeed feel paradoxical when we consider the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. While we often explain it as the day Jesus' sacrifice brought redemption and new life, or as a testament to God's ability to turn darkness into good, I find myself drawn to the German term "Sorrowful Friday."

Photo by Jari Hytönen on Unsplash

It's not hard to imagine the anguish of Jesus' disciples, family, and followers as they witnessed his brutal death. The loss of their son, brother, friend, and teacher would have been devastating, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair. In that moment, before the resurrection, it would have seemed like death had triumphed and all hope was lost. The scene would have been filled with deep sorrow, weeping, and tears.

While we know the eventual outcome—the beautiful redemption story of Easter—in that moment, it was a day of darkness and bleakness. It's important not to rush past the sorrow and grief of Good Friday in our eagerness for Easter. Perhaps, in calling it "Good Friday," we unintentionally reveal our discomfort with sitting in moments of brokenness and pain. I wonder if some of us have become incapable of sitting in a “Sorrowful Friday.” What healing could be brought by grieving together?

We live in a world filled with chaos and brokenness, where each day brings new reasons to grieve and lament. Maybe what we need is a "Sorrowful Friday," a day when we can collectively bring our pain and brokenness before the Lord. A day when we can sit in our sorrow without feeling the need to tie it up neatly with a bow or rush to find the lessons in it. Life often doesn't offer us easy resolutions, and it's okay to acknowledge that, to be in the in-between space and wrestle with the Lord. In fact, that’s much of life. 

By embracing the sorrow of Good Friday, we can experience a deeper joy in Easter.

The paradoxical beauty is that there's a deeper joy that comes in Easter when we’re deeply aware and honest about the suffering, and devastation around us. Resurrection carries more meaning when we have sat with death.

 "Sorrowful Friday" gives us space to grieve and lament.

So, today I’m gonna sit in “Sorrowful Friday” and you're welcome to join me.