Did you have a good Good Friday? You know who didn’t? Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The day of the crucifixion was not good for him, though it did work out for the good of us.
Usually, I observe Good Friday by attending at least one church service. I sing some of my favorite hymns, and I contemplate all of the sacrifices made on my behalf. I did not do that today. I have not heard a single sermon today. I have not sung a single song about Calvary. The only discussion I had about the cross was with my 14 year old son and my 10 year old daughter, as I quizzed them at breakfast about the significance of Good Friday.
Truthfully, I have never had a good Friday like this. Instead of grieving over my own sin, I am grieving the loss of someone I loved, before I even knew what sin was. Today it’s been hard to see past that, but here is my feeble attempt.
Jesus was tried, convicted, tortured, and sentenced to death in a matter of hours. In an American context, Jesus was deprived of about half of the first ten rights afforded in the US constitution. There was no semblance of justice here. In my mind, it doesn’t matter which rights, but I’d argue that the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth amendments were all violated.
In my mind, an attack on one, is an attack on all. It’s true for the amendments. It’s true for commandments, and it’s true for communities. And now, as so many of our communities are under attack, I’m concerned who will be left to defend us.
Questions : What would justice for Jesus look like? What would justice for Kilmar Abrego Garcia look like? Breonna Taylor? Does justice look different depending on different factors? What are those factors?
For a clearer example of my Good Friday thoughts on Jesus and Justice, check out Michael Harriot’s post. He’s much better at this than I am.
The Gospel According to Gabrielle 