Good Friday Reflection

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski

The mission of Jesus is not to change God’s mind about us. God calls us “beloved” and there is nothing we can say or do that will change that. The mission of Jesus is to change our mind about God. The mission of Jesus is to shatter the many ways we make God in our image. The mission of Jesus is to remind us we bear the image of the Divine calling us to live as a reflection of that image.
On Good Friday, as Jesus lay his heart bare for all the world to see we see the very heart of God. If Jesus reveals God’s heart, what does it mean to stand at the foot of the cross on this day witnessing Jesus look into the eyes of those who nailed nails into his hands saying, “Father, forgive”?
On Good Friday, we see what Love looks like as it stares evil in the face. Jesus didn’t say take me down from this cross and you might be forgiven or prove to me you’ve learned your lesson and then you will be forgiven. No, unbelievably and incomprehensibly Jesus said, “Father, forgive.”
The vulnerability of it all never ceases to amaze me. God doesn’t parcel out forgiveness like teaspoons of sugar. God IS forgiveness. If God IS forgiveness and we bear the image of the Divine, what does that mean for the way we choose to be in this broken world?
Our world is addicted to fear living like a clenched fist, mercy and forgiveness is walking in this world with an open hand.
Today I stand at the foot of the cross in awe witnessing the heart of forgiveness. I am not about to claim I understand. I do know that if I change my mind about God I might change my mind about myself. That just might change everything.
Parker Palmer wrote, “The holiest thing we have to offer the world is a broken heart, emptied of fear and vengeance, filled with forgiveness and a willingness to take the risk of love.”
May it be so.