An Open Letter to God: About Good Friday

Dear God,

I’m about to celebrate communion with my friends here at the church.

Every year, when this day rolls around, I wonder at it.

I wonder who thought up the name, “Good Friday”? It would be very hard for me to call a day my son died “good.”

I wonder why you ever came up with this plan to buy back your creation with the price of your son’s life. And I wonder why you set the price so high. – How could we possibly matter so much to you that you’d set the price son-high?

I wonder how Satan felt, thinking he’d defeated you? Did he really think he’d won?

I wonder how the Romans felt, crucifying an obviously-innocent man? Did they feel good about it? Confused about it? Or just indifferent?

I wonder how His followers felt, watching their dreams die on a hillside? Luke 23 says they beat their breasts when it was over. Were they broken by it, or just staggered? I know that none of them actually believed He’d come back from the dead, but did they have any understanding at all of what was really going on?

I wonder how His mother felt, watching her perfect, first-born child endure such agony. Did she stand through the whole thing, or did she collapse on the ground? I think that’s what I would have done.

I wonder how You felt? What was it like to lay the sins of the world on the soul of your eternal son? Did you cry, God? I read in Mark that the sky went dark. Was that you mourning? When Jesus uttered a loud cry, what did You do? Did your shoulders shake? Matthew says that the earth shook. Was that you trembling? Luke says that the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Was that you coming out? How did you feel when the centurion aid, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Did that one man’s repentance make it worthwhile for you?  Matthew says that the tombs were opened and the dead saints were raised from the grave and went to heaven. What was that like, welcoming them home after all that time?

And then I wonder, God. You know all and see all. While Jesus was dying, did you see me? Did you think in that moment how His death would change my life? Were you picturing the moment I asked Him to forgive my sins and lead my life?

And did You do the same for all my friends here?

Lord, while this was happening, did you imagine us gathering on this day, 2000 years later to tell you how thankful we are, and how deeply we love you and how we know we can never repay you for what you’ve given us?

We are so grateful. God, words cannot express our gratitude. Because now we’re called, “sons,” and “daughters.” Oh God, those words are precious to us. Sons, and daughters.

And we’re here. And we’re facing a communion table. Do you know why?

Because we love You.

Because we want to honor You.

Because You asked us to, and we want to honor You.

Because our hearts are so full right now. And you filled them, God. You filled them, Lord. You filled them Jesus.

I will never understand how it all works. But I know this. My life has meaning now. And purpose. And perspective. And hope. And peace. Because of Good Friday.

And I have people I love who have experienced real love, because of Good Friday.

And I have friends for eternity. Because on this day, Your Son laid down His life for us.

So God, before we all talk this bread and cup, here’s what I want to say to you:
Thank you for Good Friday.
Thank you for Calvary.
Thank you for nail-scarred hands, and a crown-ringed forehead, and a pierced side, and a bloodstained cross.
Thank you for enduring the cross, and for scorning its shame for the joy set before You.
Thank you for dying, and setting captives free.
For defeating death, and for making a way to heaven.
Thank you for going, and preparing a place for us, and for coming back one day.

Lord Jesus, right now we offer you a litany of praise. Hear our applause, Lord? It’s for You!

See us standing, Lord? It’s for you?

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for Good Friday.
Thank you for Calvary.
Thank you for nail-scarred hands.
And a crown-ringed forehead.
And a pierced side.
And a blood-stained cross.

Thank you for this bread.
Thank you for this cup.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.