Good Friday. It isn’t called that everywhere. Those in Germany call it Karfreitag, meaning Mourning Friday. Not surprising. God’s hand was raised against the darkness of sin that day long ago when Jesus was led to the cross. And it became a grievious day of loss for those who loved their friend and servant-master and did not yet understand this act of love as Immanuel–God in the flesh giving his life for us.
But that’s also when it becomes Good Friday as we realize that torturuous death was love’s redemption. We who were created in God’s image, created to be in relationship with him, could know the restoration of deep connection and intimacy with him.
I wrote about that day in Scars that Wound, Scars That Heal–A Journey Out of Self-Injury:
Jesus had come to earth to put on human skin to live, breathe, feel, and hurt like you and I do. He had crazy expectations thrown at him. He was spat on, misrepresented, and betrayed—sometimes by those he was closest to.
He then endured humiliation and whippings, a crown of thorns pressed onto his head, a heavy cross placed on his shoulders, and nails hammered into his wrists and feet. So many wounds you couldn’t count them. But each welt, gash, and bruise on Jesus’ body shouts ‘I love you’ and, if accepted, is a gift of freedom and healing.
Only Jesus, as God come to earth, had the power to bear scars that have the ability to reach deep into the hearts of people and heal the hidden pain they feel inside. That’s why another cut or another burn or another punch to the wall isn’t enough. ‘Another’ is never enough. But the wounds Jesus bore are. As he took his last breath on the cross, he said, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). Wrapped up in those words is the power of his wounds—Jesus’ completion of God’s plan to set right each person’s messed-up relationship with him and to make it possible for them to experience the depth of his love.
Scars That Wound, Scars That Heal–A Journey Out of Self-Injury, p. 117
Though you may not self-injure, you may be well acquainted with your own hidden pain. Over the next days, it will be my prayer that you will experience the ‘good’ of this weekend of celebration, the power of Jesus’ wounds, the depth of his love.
Great insight Jan. Thanks for sharing from Scars that Wound. An amazing book for any who struggle to understand this problem.
Love you friend!
Shirl
Thanks, Shirl, for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comments. I recently heard that Scars That Wound, Scars That Heal is widening its distribution in more countries, including South Africa. Let me know if you see it on the shelves there. God bless you, dear friend!
I love your site and books, too. Oh, how I wish people were writing and talking about such things when I was a teen. Maybe I would have realized my issues sooner. But it’s all God’s timing. Praising God for your gifts and willingness to reach out to these young women (and men!). Again, thank you and praying God’s continued and abundant blessings over your ministry! (P.S. Were you just at Mt. Hermon? I think I saw your books there when I was there in April . . .)
Thank you for your encouragement, Amy. It seems that there is more of an openness to dialogue about these issues today than even a few years ago.
Yes, I was at Mount Hermon–busy working with the hospitality staff with the submitted manuscripts, including critiquing, and then also on the teaching faculty. We might have even chatted at some point!