The first Good Friday was a public event. By design, crucifixions took place in highly visible places. At a crossroads, on a hill, wherever the state executions could be noticed. This strategy served as a deterrent to whoever witnessed it. Whatever that person did, DON’T DO IT, or that could happen to you too. It was law and order, Rome-style.
But a funny thing happened when Jesus of Nazareth became one of the crucified. Rather than view this as a defeat, his followers came to see it as the ultimate victory over the powers of sin and death. Rome intended to make a public spectacle of Jesus, but, as the writer of Colossians proclaims, “(Christ) disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them.” Jesus exposes peace-through-violence as an empty shell, and, through resurrection power, offers a way of being human based of the strong bonds on sisterly and brotherly love. That’s what the early church dared to believe.
As Christ-followers, we believe that Jesus is in solidarity with all who suffer. And that death doesn’t have the last word. There is a vitality and Divine Life that persists beneath our human inclination to harm one another.
Our typical Good Friday service is a Tenebrae where we contemplate these truths in the quiet of our church sanctuary. I love the beauty and simplicity of that service. But this year, heeding the call of Mennonite Action for churches to hold public worship services, we will be holding our service outside and taking some photos to share. Good Friday will be, as it originally was, a public event.
Rather than witnessing the spectacle of state violence, passersby will see a group of folks holding hymnals, gathered behind a banner that says “God’s Love Knows No Borders.” We will sing and hear brief reflections on the “Seven Last Sayings of Jesus” from the cross. Rather than merely protest the negative, we will be proclaiming the good news that Jesus too was a refugee, that Jesus is in solidarity with all who suffer, and that God’s Love Knows No Borders.
We will gather in the church parking lot at 6:15 this Friday for some orienting words and instructions before proceeding to the Kroger corner of North Broadway and High where we will be for approximately 30 minutes before returning to the church together.
Come if you’re able, and bring anyone you think may appreciate observing Good Friday with us.
Joel
