In Jerusalem, the mix-and-match world of multiple calendars, today is that rare combination of Good Friday and the Passover Seder.
As I was swapping holiday greetings with an Israeli friend today, he asked an unexpected question: how do you greet someone on Good Friday? Good question, I thought. You don’t really say “Happy Good Friday,” because it’s a sad story: someone died, after all. But it’s not a strictly sad day, either because, well, we know what happens next.
(“It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”)
Come to think of it, the Passover Seder has some sadness in it as well. The reason for being passed over by the death that visited every home in ancient Egypt that night? A little Passover lamb. Familiar. Loved by the children, perhaps. And now quite dead, for their sakes.
Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world could indeed have saved himself. But he did not — for our sakes. So for the joy (our joy!) set before him, he endured the cross. And died.
Let us therefore celebrate the festival
How (how in the world?) can I thank Him for all these benefits? This coming and rescuing me with His two outstretched arms? This real-world rescue. This substantiated love. This redemption piled on redemption.
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation.
Elisabeth Adams 