Good Friday is a complicated holiday. It celebrates the betrayal of a close friend. It celebrates powerful leaders mocking and tormenting and brutally executing a poor teacher in their care. It celebrates innocent bloodshed; it celebrates the cross.

The Bible itself records that Jesus, terrified of the torment awaiting him, prayed so fervently for a way out that he sweat droplets of blood. Why would we celebrate that?

This year, a lot of us have stared down death. We have seen darkness rip lives apart. We have suffered ourselves or had to watch loved ones suffering.

Why, God?

Understanding Good Friday has perhaps never been so important.

If you'd like to join us in wrestling with these questions, if you'd like to at least hear about what makes this dark day Good, we will be watching Hope Astoria’s YouTube service at 7pm.

https://youtu.be/aAP2xByqw5E