Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:2

Josiah Parr reflects on the Easter story.

Josiah Parr

The name Good Friday confused me growing up, after all what could be good about Jesus dying?! I am sure that the disciples would have to agree with me as well. On that Friday they lost their master, teacher and friend. Each of them ran away, hiding for fear of their life. Nothing seemed to be good on that Friday.

However we know how this story ends, as the end is already written. We know that Sunday is coming and that resurrection is on its way!!

Good

• To be desired or approved of - "it's good that he's back to his old self".
  Having the required qualities; of a high standard - "a good restaurant".
• That which is morally right; righteousness - "a mysterious balance of good and evil".
• Benefit or advantage to someone or something - "he convinces his father to use his genius for the good of mankind".

In the definition of 'good', the noun says for the benefit or advantage of someone or something. This really struck me. The good in Good Friday was for the benefit, or advantage, of all mankind. Jesus had a mission to seek and save that which was lost. His death and resurrection made that possible.

Like the disciples, sometimes only part of the story is visible. We live with conflict and pain and for many of us we have made that our whole story, but God is waiting to bring resurrection to your life.

I have an intern Jess and a couple of weeks ago Jess decided that she would sell her iPad. She listed it on EBay and waited. Later that day Jess got contacted by a buyer, saying she would pay her £320 for her iPad. Jess did some checking and made sure that the buyer had good EBay credentials and feedback. She agreed to sell to him. On Friday she packed up her iPad and confirmed with the buyer that he had sent the money via PayPal. He said that he had, but the money hadn't come into her account. So she contacted PayPal and they confirmed that the money was just waiting to clear and that she was safe to send off her iPad. Jess packaged it up and sent it off.

Later that afternoon Jess checked her account and no money had come through. She began to freak out and called PayPal. They had changed their story completely, no money was coming. After phone calls with the police, the Post Office and a well-timed visit to the post sorting office, Jess had her iPad back.

This isn't where the story ends though!

Jess got an email from PayPal saying that they would give her £320 as compensation for the incident. Jess promptly emailed back explaining that she had recovered the iPad and that they didn't have to give her the money. PayPal wrote back and told Jess that she could have the money regardless!

'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.' Romans 8:28

Jess experienced a resurrection story.

We so often live from that place of loss and we struggle to see the good that God has promised us. Yet one thing is for sure, that God is working behind the scenes and will work everything out for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Our story is still being written.

'Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Hebrews 12:2

Jesus endured Good Friday to give us Resurrection Sunday!!