Most church attendance numbers reflect that we would rather not think about Good Friday at all. Only a fraction of those who shouted Hosanna! last week at Palm Sunday and who will come in their Easter finery this week will be in worship today. And can I blame them? There's enough darkness in the world without going looking for it.
But this year, God is surprising me with the beauty of Good Friday. As I write this, Dean is at church putting the finishing touches on the Good Friday art show--over 80 pieces of art, from professional artists, church members, kids, developmentally-delayed adults and agnostics, pieces that wrestle with the story of the cross. The pieces are beautiful.
And that's not all. The sanctuary is set for tonight's Tenebrae service, a service of Scripture, song, and darkness. We will hear the whole story, from betrayal to "Father, forgive them," to death. Nothing more. It is beautiful.
Easter Sunday will be triumphant and joyful, but today, Good Friday, at least in our little corner of the world, will be artistic, creative, and even beautiful.
My small group is doing a study and this week one of our readings was on beauty. As I reflect on Christ's work on the cross and his call to all people to pick up our cross and follow him, I also think on these words...
We are "called to join God's mission by working to bring forth beauty in this world...in a broken world, at its very best, art speaks to our souls and gives us a window into God's hopeful future...[God's story] will not end with God destroying this beautiful world, still in the grip of sin. God intends to renew the whole creation. And that new creation is bursting forth NOW."
Can you see it? Will you join it?
Happy Good Friday.
