Good Friday, Oberammergau and God’s Love

In past years, I have sometimes looked to the remembrance of “Good” Friday with a spirit of dread. The darkness of the day. The magnitude of what we commemorate. Christ — the perfect unblemished human and Son of God, Deity incarnate — willingly gave Himself, even unto death on a cross for the forgiveness of sins for those who believe.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

“Good” Friday remembers the day of Christ’s crucifixion on the cross. Christians enter into the reality of our brokenness, depravity, and need for God. In the church calendar, it is a day of mourning, sorrow, and grief. A time when we allow ourselves to wait in anticipation for what will come three days hence. In many churches, the clergy wear black and no candles are lit.

For a time, there is only darkness.

The holiday is also known as “Black” Friday which emphasizes the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. As Christ was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas appeared and greeted him with a holy kiss. Then the guards took him and arrested him. After his arrest, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus was detained, taunted, and whipped by the guards. They cast lots for his garments. He was forced to wear a crown of thorns upon his

Article source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-mae-elise-cannon/good-friday-oberammergau-_b_6983914.html