Good Friday

 I walked the Via Dolorosa. I went to the place where Jesus was crucified. But to be honest, I don’t remember what it smelt like on the road to Golgotha. I can’t hear the voices along the streets anymore. I can’t even remember the feeling of the Israel sun on my skin, of sweat beading on my forehead, or what that rocky pavement felt like underneath my shoes. 

Yes, I have these pictures to prove I was there, but honestly I only pull them out on Easter wknd, or in random conversation. 


Can I confess something? 

I often do this with my Saviors crucifixion. 

I have a marked up Bible & good works to “prove” I have heard the story of the cross.

But sometimes I simply forget to experience it.


Jesus did what He did not just so I could have a picture of His death on Good Friday. 

My Savior went to the extreme so I could live in a constant state of remembrance.


The cross on my behalf, yes.

His death for my freedom, yes that too…

But also, 

So I could smell the aroma of His grace.

So I could hear the whispers of His Spirit.

So I could feel the light of the His glory & walk in the way of The Son.

   

Have I settled for a still picture of Jesus on Easter instead of experiencing Jesus Himself? 

Have I accepted big moments of the Christian life & missed some of the sweet, small ones? 

Has verses of the days, 3 worship song limits in church, & a generation of “follower of Christ” instagram bios claimed us for normalcy? 

Because there’s more. 

We were designed to live in the shadow of the cross. Not just know the story of it. 


The older I get I realize that I cannot settle for a faith ignited on Good Friday and extinguished on the Monday after Easter Sunday. 


He wants more than that for me.

For you.

For us. 

For His children.


The penalty. His beating. His suffering. The mocking. The crown of thorns. The cross. His death. 

All for us. 


Why would we live one moment apart from the wonders of Good Friday? 

Why would we just settle for the wrapping paper & bow of the gift of Jesus? 


I want Him. 

In every big moment. 

& every little one in between. 

I want the fullness of the gift of the cross. & it’s offered to us. That’s news that makes for a pretty Good Friday. 

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