Good Friday

"Good Friday" by Elizabeth Gordon is a thought-provoking narrative that weaves together themes of faith, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of a significant holiday, the story explores the emotional and spiritual journeys of its characters as they confront their pasts, grapple with personal dilemmas, and seek meaning and connection in their lives. Through rich character development and evocative prose, Gordon invites readers to reflect on the deeper significance of sacrifice and the possibilities of renewal.

• Children
• Short story

								
“Tomorrow will be Good Friday,” said the boy named Billy. “That
is the day on which Christ Jesus was crucified, wasn’t it,
Somebody?”

“Yes,” said Somebody, “and is why it is remembered by us all in
one way or another--by church services, or in our thoughts.”

“Of course I know the story,” said the boy named Billy, “but
won’t you please tell it over again?”

“Early in the morning Christ Jesus prayed to God, his Father,
saying that his mission had been accomplished (you’ll find this
beautiful prayer in the seventeenth chapter of St. John’s gospel,
Billy boy). Then he went into the Garden of Gethsemane with his
disciples. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus,
knew the place where he would be and went there with a band of
men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. (The
Pharisees were narrow minded people who paid excessive regard to
empty tradition and dead ceremonies. They observed the form, but
neglected the spirit of religion.)

“Jesus was arrested, and brought before the Sanhedrin, the
Jewish council of priests and elders. After a hasty trial they
pronounced him guilty of death for blasphemy. They said ‘we have
a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself
the Son of God.’ St. John 19:7. And He was the Son of God,
sent by the loving Father to bring understanding to the people so
they might obey and love God and know the blessing of trusting
Him always.

“Then the council of priests and elders delivered Jesus to
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate didn’t sympathize
with the wishes of the people. He said, “I find in him no fault
at all.” But the people insisted that he give him up to be
crucified, so he washed his hands to show them that he took no
responsibility in the affair whatsoever. And they took Jesus
away--put a crown of thorns on his head, and followed him with
taunts and abuse of every kind as he, bearing his cross, led the
way to Golgotha, the place of his execution.

“There on that never to be forgotten Calvary, Christ Jesus was
crucified with a criminal on either side.

“Jesus’ body was taken from the cross and placed in a tomb by
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Three days later, on the
first day of the week, when some of the women came with spices
to embalm the body, they found the tomb empty. An angel who kept
watch told them that Christ had risen from the dead. The risen
Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene, the once sinful woman
from whom Jesus had cast out seven devils, and who had become
one of the most devoted of his followers; and then to others
who were close to him. He spent forty days on earth after his
resurrection, and then from the midst of his disciples he was
taken up to heaven. He left no writings and no organized church.
But from recollections of his teachings his followers later put
together the record of his ministry, as we have it in the New
Testament, and with it there slowly took shape also the organized
Christian church, which more and more has ruled men’s lives.”

“I wish I had been there,” said the boy named Billy, “I could
have helped some way, I know.”

“You can help every day, Billy Boy,” said Somebody, “by being
kind to everybody, and doing unto others just the thoughtful,
loving things you want others to do unto you.”
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