On its surface, the cross is a strange thing to venerate. It was an instrument of torture. A public execution device.
“It is, in a weird way, like wearing electric chairs on your ears or around your neck.”
And yet, it has become the most recognised symbol in the world. Why?
Because Jesus took the worst the world had to offer and turned it into the doorway to life.
“That is what Jesus does. He takes instruments of death, flips them upside down, and makes them into icons of hope.”
This is the essence of what many call the “upside-down kingdom.” Jesus taught that the first shall be last. That the meek will inherit the earth. That death leads to life.
Good Friday is not a detour in the Christian story. It is the story.
“The cross of Christ is profound because he did not deserve to be on it… And yet, he goes to that cross on behalf of all of us.”
Even if you doubt the claims of Christianity, the historical record is clear: Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross, believing He was doing so for others. That alone is astonishing.
“A man you did not know believed he was giving his life for you. That tells us something: your life is valuable. It was worth something to him.”
This is the beauty in the darkness of Good Friday. It’s worth pausing. It’s worth contemplating.
Jay Y. Kim is the lead pastor at WestGate Church in San Jose, California, and author of Analog Church, Analog Christian and Listen, Listen, Speak. He spoke to Ruth Jackson about Easter and Resurrection here
Next up:If Jesus didn’t just die—but actually rose again—what does that mean for you and me? Jay explores the physical resurrection and why it changes everything.
