She was sitting one seat away from me.
Her dark eyes and dark hair were contrasted by her creamy smooth complexion.
She wasn’t looking at me, but there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was talking to me.
She leaned a bit forward with a frown just creasing her brow and asked,
“Why is it called Good Friday if it’s the day Jesus died?”
I was surprised.
I’d only met this girl recently, she’d asked to sit by me while waiting for another practice on the Youth Worship team.
I was sitting, just crocheting and enjoying the music.
So, after a bit of chit chat where I found out what grade she was in, where she lived, and that she was very new to our church, she asked this question.
I smiled and looked right at her.
“That’s a very good question.”
She turned her eyes briefly to mine, questions still creased her face, then went back to watching the adult team practice their songs.
But I knew she was listening.
“I don’t know the history of when or why it began being called Good Friday, but I’ve always been told that it was Jesus rising from the dead that made it good.”
“Remember, Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, all of them, for everyone, and when He rose again on Sunday He gave us the hope of eternal life with Him in Heaven.”
She nodded, “Oh, yeah, I guess that’s right.”
She was still listening although, not looking at me.
“What Jesus did, how He died, and paid such a terrible price for us is hard, and I’m certain the disciples didn’t see it as good at the time, but when He rose from the grave it changed everything.”
“Jesus’s rising from the grave is what makes His death so good, because through it He saves all who trust in Him and put their lives in His hands.”
Her eyes turned back to mine briefly.
The question and frown had been replaced by a look of ponder and she nodded, a slight smile on her lips.
Our conversation turned to other topics and sometimes we just sat silently, but the moment stayed with me and has been a true treasure.
What an incredible privilege to share the truth of Jesus Christ to another!
It makes me wonder if it’s a tiny glimpse into how the women felt who spoke with the angel.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
Matthew 28:5-8 KJV
This Good Friday, I hope we all have the joy of sharing why this day is so good.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your gift of salvation and the privilege of being the ones to share the truth with others! What an incredible blessing that is! Lord Jesus, thank You for this moment with that precious girl from our church. I humbly request that You continue to open her heart and mind to Your truth and that she accepts You wholeheartedly. Lord, help the Word and the music of this Sunday to bring her a deeper understanding of who You are and why You died. Please, let others come alongside her and be there to love and encourage her. Lord, I would love another opportunity to share Your love with her. Thank You for that moment during worship practice. May the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Your holy name! Amen.
patientlyhopeful 