"Why do we have eggs at Easter?"
"It reminds us of the birth of Jesus"
Eh?
Its one of those school children answers, that is designed to show us how little children 'these days' know.
If you had been in Billericay this morning - out shopping in the spring sunshine - complaining about the traffic jam perhaps, or wondering why all the police are about, you might have come across a different question and a different answer. If you were in the town at the right time you'd certainly know that some people believe something different about Easter, because you would have seen the now traditional walk of witness. This has been happening now for a number of years - certainly all the time that I've been a Christian. Crosses are carried through the town, banners explain whats going on, people walk in silence.
Today we remember the crucifixion - the day that Jesus was killed. Before the walk we had a short service at church at which Tony Campolo's famous sermon was mentioned "Its Friday - - but Sunday's coming". After the walk, another mention of the same sermon in Emmanuel at the CTB service. The anticipation of Sunday - something to keep us going through the long dark Friday.
Why is it called Good Friday? Why would the day on which the created attempt to eliminate the creator be called Good? Well language has a long and torturous heritage. Like 'Goodbye' its an evolved phrase. Goodbye was 'God be with you'. Good Friday was God Friday (follow the link to the Wiki article). The Chinese call it "Jesus' crucifixion day" - can't get clearer than that.
So Liz, there you have it!
While digging around, I came across this "Son of God". Always good to remember the C.S.Lewis quote.
I was just going to write the words to 'Hallelujah, my Father', because we sang them last night at the Maundy Thursday service, after the Agape Meal, and then again this morning, and they are very appropriate, but there's always more to say ....
Its Friday, but Sundays's coming. (TRUE. but it doesn't stop me blogging on Saturday)
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