By: Gabriela Yareliz
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. What does this time remind us of?
Even when we are confused, God is doing His thing. Our confusion doesn’t mean a plan is halted. The disciples thought the world had gone insane. Jesus was right on track. He knew exactly what He was walking into.
Sometimes, God speaks to us and we understand nothing. It doesn’t mean He isn’t near or in control.
Just because it’s providence doesn’t mean it’s not heavy to carry. Jesus sweat blood.
When we feel ready to sweat blood, we are to pray. Jesus went to the garden to pray (nature was His temple that night), and He asked His closest friends to pray with Him.
Sometimes, friends disappoint and don’t understand what you are going through.
God’s plans defy what we feel is a manageable or a normal next step. It can feel like everything is going wrong, but you are in the exact place where you are supposed to be.
Fear can make people do crazy things. Just look at the disciples.
Sometimes, even when you serve people humbly, you still end up alone.
In the face of injustice, lies and violence, God’s path is obedience and forgiveness. God’s path is love.
If our God carried His cross, we must follow His example. And we do not need to carry it alone.
There is no love without sacrifice.
Even when darkness falls on the land, it doesn’t mean victory is far.
Moments of darkness can bring moments of clarity. When darkness enveloped everything, the centurion saw exactly who Jesus was.
There is no separation between us and God. The temple veil was torn.
There is a time to grieve. Grief does not mean we are without faith. Grief is our human expression of real pain and loss.
God provides. Someone generously provided a tomb for Jesus.
Good Friday— if we pause the story there— leaves us in the swamp of grief, trauma and loss. It leaves us in that space of disappointment and running for our lives. It leaves us reeling from the darkness and earthquake. It leaves us in the chaos of the temple and town.
But it’s just a pause, because as we know, the other thing we learn from Good Friday is that the story doesn’t end on Friday. After Friday comes Saturday, and then, comes Sunday.
If you haven’t seen the victory, you haven’t reached the end.
If you haven’t defied expectations, you haven’t reached the end.
If you haven’t been rescued, held and stood in the resplendent light, you haven’t reached the end.
If you haven’t been overwhelmed by love, you haven’t reached the end.
If you haven’t been infused with life, you haven’t reached the end.
If you haven’t reached the miracle, you haven’t reached the end.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 