Is this just another Friday?  What makes this special?  Today is the celebration/remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ. Several denominations observe this day because of the death of Jesus.  Some call it Good Friday (several Protestant beliefs, Roman Catholic Church), while others call it Great Friday (Greek Orthodox).  This day is to call attention to the sacrifice of Christ.  Many denominations have a three hour Suffering service, which symbolizes the time of Christ upon the cross and the darkness that covered the earth.

 

Several denominations will walk the stations of the cross.  The stations of the cross are pictures of different times of Christ suffering.  This practice began during the 15th to 16 century, when people were not allowed by the Muslims to pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  The Franciscans built several outdoor pictures to duplicate their counterparts in the Holy Land.  Also, since many could not read, they again were used as teaching tools to help the common person understand the significance of the death of Jesus.

 

This is a day of fasting, weeping, re-enactments, suffering services, and to those who do the old practices the covering of the “scared objects” with black cloth. 

 

With that said, it should be noted, that this practices were started long after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.  The early believers were about spreading the Good News of Jesus and getting prepared for His return.  The death on the cross gave them life.  It was that life they shared with joy and sometimes suffering.

 

If you celebrate this day, do so in the fashion of coming closer to the Lord and leaving with the urgency of sharing the Good News.  For the cross is empty.  The tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive and reigning King.  He will return.