Good Friday Thought

Yesterday (Good Friday) was an interesting day here in Southeastern Minnesota. It was the first full day of Spring, two days before Easter, a time when you're brain is starting to thinking of warm sun and flowers starting to poke their heads out of the ground. Instead we got about 5 inches of snow. Not really the weather I would typically envision for a Good Friday.

Yet, as I thought about it a little bit, it seemed like perfect weather for symbolizing Good Friday. You see it was one of those "warm" snows, with big giant flakes. On the one hand, because it was snowing there was a certain chill in the air. On the other hand it was about 34 degrees with calm winds so it was actually kind of warm. (Okay, so if you're reading this from somewhere like CA or AZ you might think it odd that 34 would be considered warm, but you need to understand we've had a good number of days below zero this winter so 34 begins to feel warm.)

Good Friday, is a "celebration" that is filled with both cold and warmth. It is a time that we in the church gather to remember the day that Jesus hung on the cross and died. There is a cold pain in death, especially of one we love. Yet, in the midst of the chill of death there is a certain warmth to the day as well as we are reminded of Jesus' great love for us... that he died on that cross "For You!"... "For Me!"... "For All!"