April 3rd, 2026 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Beloved Friends,

               I don’t like discomfort. I don’t like things that make me sad or upset or are hard to face because they make me feel, well, bad. And I don’t like to feel bad. That’s why I think we are eager to get to Easter morning, to the stone rolled away, to the amazement of the women and the incredulity of the disciples, to the Good News of Christ’s resurrection.

We want to fast forward through the worst part to get to the best part. But here I am, writing to you on Good Friday, and I am asking you to sit in the sorrow. Sit with the grief that we collectively bear with Jesus’ first disciples, knowing that Jesus is going to a cross and will die a horrific death even as he has done nothing wrong. As I was reading today’s awful Luke text of Jesus’ trial, torture and crucifixion, I was struck by the unfairness and betrayal of the day, especially with the words in Luke 23:13-23.

               Pilate found no fault with Jesus that would result in his death. But the assembly of chief priests, scribes, and Roman officials gathered and chose the release of Barabbas, a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection and murder (Luke 23:18-19). Barabbas was released; Jesus was crucified. And though I sit with this text every year during Holy Week, I am horrified to confront the reality that those in the vicinity of Jesus were keen to follow the cries of “crucify him” for an innocent man with no fault, over a murderer and insurrectionist. How lamentable.

Of all days, Good Friday seems to be the day that is least “good”, but Jesus’ death on the cross is exactly what makes this day good. Because, as we will find in his words on the road to Emmaus, it was “necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory” (Luke 24: 26). Therefore, for today and tomorrow, my challenge to you is to sit in the discomfort, in the sadness, in the fear and unknowing, in the silence of the women and the disciples of Jesus. Because certainly Easter is coming, but in these in-between days we wait, knowing that in this time sin and death are defeated. And on Sunday, let us join together with shouts of “He is Risen!”

With love and peace,

Pastor Rachel