Good Friday
First Reading Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33
Second Reading 1 Peter 1:10-20
36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”
We can’t follow—at least not yet. It never works out for us to become presumptuous in God’s presence. We may think that we’re equal to the task; but the lesson for Peter (and for us) is that we need a savior. God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God in Jesus Christ shows us how we are to live, and then lives in perfect obedience and faithfulness: with compassion towards all, with the love that offers itself in death. It isn’t time for us to do that. First we have to see where Jesus leads—the horror of the cross, extravagance of God’s love. Only then can we follow.
Holy God, we worship you for all that you are in the love and grace of Jesus Christ. We can never return your gifts to us, but take our lives in response—that as we see your sacrifice and self-denial, we might live in such a way that recalls your cross, with compassion and hope, for others above self. Amen.
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