Thank God It's Friday

Today is one of my three favorite days - it's Good Friday. On this day, Christians celebrate the death of Jesus Christ.

I know, that sounds odd. Ian even asked me today "why is it called 'good' Friday if it's the day Jesus died."

So I explained it to him.

It's good because Jesus went to the cross and died so that I might live in relationship with God. Jesus died because I was unable on my own to find my way to God. Jesus died so that I wouldn't have to.

And neither does anybody else.

There are those who say "well, I was born Jewish; does that mean Christ excludes me? I certainly don't want to follow a God Who would exclude me just because of my birth and heritage."

I know a Jew would say this because I was born Jewish and used to say it all of the time.

There are other people who would say "what about the Muslim, or the Buddhist or the Pagan? If there is a God, God must be all about love, and a God of love would never pick and chose who goes to Heaven, who is blessed and who is not."

Wow, that's pride at, well, at its most prideful.

It's basically saying "God, You have to accept me on my terms."

Which He doesn't have to do at all.

Yes, God made Jews and Muslims and everybody else. He made people who were born into Catholic families, as the children of practicing witches and the offspring of Taoists as well. One big jumbled up world of Babel.

And then He said, "I want you all with me, every one of you - but on My terms. After all, I created you and I want to fill My house with those who love me and are willing to show it in one little way."

Unless you think we're some random accident of protoplasmic ooze. In which case, I challenge you to create life on your own. I'll even supply some protoplasmic ooze for you to start with. But nothing else. After all, God started with nothing.

Anyway, to continue - it's that "on My terms" thing that has so many people in a twist and a tizzy. After all, why should you give up any control of your life. After all, it's your life. You made you, didn't you? Oh yeah, I suppose that brings us circling back to the protoplasmic ooze thing.

"So," you ask, "why is Jesus the way, and not some other system of belief?"

Good question. You let me know when somebody other than Christ sacrifices himself on a cross for me. If they rise from the dead after three days, they have my attention.

"Oh, that's just what your Bible says. Jesus didn't really rise from the dead."

Boy, I feel sorry for you. I know what it's like to want to believe everything so much that you end up believing nothing. I know what it's like to want to believe nothing so much that you leave open the possibility for everything.

It comes down to two things: choice and faith.

Yes, God made Jews and Muslims and Catholics and Buddhists. And then He said "you make a choice -- your blood or Mine?"

Christ is open to everyone, to anyone who chooses to have faith enough to see Him. No matter who your parents are, no matter where you live, no matter what you've done.

Choice and Faith.

So simple. That's why Friday is good.