GOOD FRIDAY and EASTER weekend

I received an email from a Pastor on his thoughts on Easter and wanted to share with you!!

"Why do we call this day Good Friday? Scholars differ on the origins of the term “Good Friday”. Some say it’s a mistranslation of “God” Friday. Others say “Good” was formerly translated “Holy” which would honor Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as a Holy act.
But for most of us in the Christian faith we have come to understand the day we traditionally observe the death of Jesus is “Good” Friday because His death was necessary to make the way of new life possible through the resurrection.
I very much doubt that for Jesus' friends and followers this would have been considered a “Good” day. As they watched Jesus - their teacher, mentor, friend, son, brother – die on a cross, they would have been very challenged to see this moment as a “Good” one.
And yet God knew that in a few days, all of this pain, suffering, loss, hurt, betrayal, and agony would surrender to a resurrection which would bring a new day, not just to his followers, but to the whole world – FOREVER!
As Jesus hangs on the cross on “Good” Friday, offering up his life – he’s not only taking on our sin, but he’s also becoming one with our pain. He is identifying with us to allow us to connect with God. Nothing changed in heaven when Jesus died, but EVERYTHING changed on earth! We can now pass through the holy place that had once been reserved only for the High Priest. Now we can all be made holy. Now anyone can have access to God!
In our deepest moment of pain it’s often hard to see God working. It’s tough to feel his presence. It’s challenging to believe that he is bringing “Good” from all our suffering.
But rest assured – he knows how to bring “Good” from all things, even the painful things! He knows how to restore, re-create, and renew. He knows how to resurrect our lives – he’s done it before!!"

Just simply take a moment out of the crazy and busy day and think what Christ endured for us and our sins. He endured so much for us- pain all the way to the cross for us! Seriously? It is amazing if you really think about it. I hope you have a HAPPY EASTER!!
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!!

God bless- Genea