Friday, April 10
What Good
What good will come out of this crisis?
We look for the positive in everything, and for good reason. “We know that in everything God works for the good...” (Romans 8:28). Believing this is walking by faith, not by sight. Seeing it is the benefit of hindsight.
“What good is it,” John had wondered, “for you, the long expected Messiah, to be baptized here by me for repentance from sin? Shouldn’t you be baptizing me?”
“It is good,” Jesus said, “for all righteousness to be fulfilled, for me to pray in solidarity the sinner’s prayer.”
“What good is it,” Judas sneered, “for such costly ointment to be poured on Jesus’ feet?”
“How good it is,” Jesus smiled, “to be so cherished and so honored; and for the costly sacrifice to be so fittingly anointed.”
“What good is it,” Caiaphas reasoned, “if Jesus succeeds? Won’t we then perish at the hands of Rome? It is better for one man to perish in order to save the nation.”
“It is good,” Jesus affirmed, “if I be lifted up on a cross. I will draw all people to myself, and the prince of this world will be cast out. Whoever believes in me will never perish.”
“It is good,” the sinner said, “to see my sin nailed to the cursed tree; all of it, taken from me.”
“What good is it,” the Psalmist prayed, “if I go down to the underworld? Will the dust of my rotted remains praise you, O God?”
“It is good,” Jesus affirmed, “for the seed to die and to be buried in the dirt. Then it will produce many seeds.”
“What good is it,” Jesus said, “if someone gains the whole world but then loses their soul?”
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Prayer: On this Good Friday, Lord, it is good to come to you. My soul finds rest in you.
