Tag Archives: good Friday

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This Sunday is known all around the world as “Easter Sunday” or “Resurrection Sunday.” And today is known as “Good Friday” to a whole lot of people. But those names don’t mean much to most people.

And that’s especially sad on Good Friday.

Because it’s the day that observes another day, about 2000 years ago, that looked anything but good for one man. In fact, things looked worse for him than any other person who ever lived.

First, he was accused of crimes he didn’t commit. Then, he was found innocent of those crimes. And then he was put to death for those crimes he didn’t commit. Wow! Talk about miscarriage of justice.

But we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill-ordinary-joe-schmoe. Not just another street bum who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. No, we’re not talking about some schmuck outta luck. Good Friday wouldn’t and couldn’t apply to anyone as forgettable as all that.

Uh-uh. Good Friday gets its name because of what that man, Jesus, suffered in order to offer a free gift of grace to anyone who wants it. And “good” hardly seems adequate. Except when you remember that Jesus, Himself, said “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”

So, given that perspective, you can see how the only good One was sufficient for the sacrifice that day.

And I can’t think of anything more pro life or life-affirming than to know there’s a living, loving God who cared so much for us that He suffered a horrible death to make eternal life available.

C’mon, man! Who wouldn’t wanna live forever?!

And who wouldn’t wanna be in a love-filled paradise forever. It’s certainly something I want. But so sad to say, millions and millions and millions of people don’t choose life. They choose to be their own king. Or queen. And they bet their eternal existence on their own selfish desires.

I hope you don’t believe that way,
That Good Friday’s just another day.
I hope you trust that, when you die,
You’ll live somewhere beyond the sky,
Somewhere you’ll be forever free,
In perfect love, eternally.
Because the One who knows your heart
Can change the broken, selfish part,
If you will only let Him in
And let His healing love begin
To resurrect your brokenness
Into His perfect faithfulness.

© 2024

OK, why waste time going online to find all my really refreshing Rhymes and Reasons? Just jump on the The TRUTH. And I’ll send them directly to your inbox. Do it now, and I’ll send you some songs and some other surprises: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Happy Maundy Thursday. And that’s not a typo, in case you didn’t know. And it’s a little bit strange to use the word “happy” with it. But it makes total sense in the big picture.

So, what’s the Maundy Thursday big picture?

I’m glad you asked. Oops, that was me. But I’m glad I asked. Because it gives me a chance to answer. So, why don’t I go ahead and do that instead of talking about the question and who asked it? Ok, I will. Just as soon as I finish this conversation with myself.

Now, in Christian teaching, Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday. And it’s important to remember because it was the last day and evening Jesus would spend in direct connection with His disciples. Even non-believers have probably heard of the Last Supper. That was on Maundy Thursday.

The word “Maundy” is actually derived from the Latin word “mandatum.” And that Latin word means “commandment” or “mandate.” And that evening Jesus told his followers about a new commandment. A commandment to love one another “as I have loved you.”

But the awesome thing about Jesus is that He’s not just a do-as-I-say kind of teacher. He showed one of the most ultimate acts of humility, when He commanded them to love one another, by washing their feet.

Let that sink in.

The Creator of Heaven and Earth and all living things.

Washed. Their. Feet. And they wore sandals back then. Sandals. With plenty of openings to let the elements in. So they could get some truly dirty feet. AND, Jesus knew what was coming the next day. And instead of asking to be pampered, He did the pampering.

Hmm, for some strange reason the song “Amazing Grace” just popped into my head.

Anyway…

Tomorrow starts what some know as the Easter Triduum. That’s just a fancy-schmancy way of saying the three-day period that leads to Resurrection Sunday.

You don’t live under the Jewish law (at least I hope you don’t). So, you’re not required to wash anybody’s feet this evening. But maybe, now that I’ve shared the term “Maundy Thursday” with you, this day will be a reminder to be humble and serve others. I hope so. And I mean that for me, too.

So, Happy Maundy Thursday.
May your humble heart rejoice,
Thinking about the three days
He endured to give you choice
To live with Him forever
Or apart from Him alone.
One choice fills your heart with love.
One choice turns your heart to stone.

Now, why waste time going online to find all my really refreshing Rhymes and Reasons? Just jump on the The TRUTH. And I’ll send them directly to your inbox. Do it now, and I’ll send you some songs and some other surprises: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com

Stay tuned,

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