Good Friday

My wife and I were probably among the last to see Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion." When we left the theater that night with a friend of ours, we were all too stunned to say anything except 'good night.' Millions of copies of the DVD have been sold. I have to wonder, though: who could possibly view this very often? The graphic portrayal is only part of the reaction. The realization of my own responsibility in the drama is what made even one viewing more than I could bear.

And yet, part of the celebration of Easter is the admission we are part of that crowd, yelling "crucify Him!" Even after He becomes our dearest friend, we continue to cause Him pain. And yet the grace continues, unmerited, and more precious than anything else we can possess. Because we no longer offer animal sacrifices as atonement, we often forget sin carries an infinitely high price.

And I cried,
Who nailed Him there?
This child of peace and mercy
Who nailed Him there?
Come and face me like a man
Who nailed Him there?
And the crowd began to mock me
I cried, Oh my God,
I do not understand
Then I turned and saw the hammer
In my hand!
- Ray Boltz, "The Hammer"

Today, we remember that payment, made by the only One who could mark the debt "settled in full." But even amidst the horror of the reminder of Friday, we know: Sunday is just around the corner. And with it, an empty tomb. He is risen...He is risen indeed!