Good Friday: Anna #24

The sign was written in

   Aramaic, Latin and Greek. (John 19:20)

Dear Anna,

I woke up strangely spiritual this morning—desiring to go to church and participate in the Stations of the Cross. So, around the fire pit I read again the accounts of Good Friday. Strange name for the Day Christ was Crucified. What is so “good” about the Crucifixion of Christ?  It is what happened three days later, on Sunday morning, that makes Good Friday, good. Easter will be God’s big “Yes” to Calvary and to you and me—to humanity. Easter morning makes the Cross good news—Gospel.

Pilate fastened a notice to the Cross stating “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” He had it “written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek” (Jn 18:19-20). I can’t read “Latin and Greek” without thinking of you. Does it not speak of the Cross as an event meant for all people?

The sign sparks protest: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of Jews” (Jn 19:21). The political turmoil has to do with who is our king. The Jews cried out to Pilate: “We have no king of Caesar!” (Jn 18:15) When we opt for other kings than Jesus, we end up subservient to Caesar. When, in faith, we accept the kingly rule of Christ in our life, we remain free from the Caesars of our world.

Just musing, PAPA