The comedian Patton Oswalt once did a stand-up routine comparing Mel Gibson's "The Passion" to a hypothetical movie about Albert Einstein on the toilet with stomach flu. He thought it was odd to have a movie entirely focused on the worst day in Jesus' life instead of one focused on his teaching and healing, as though Jesus' death were, like a bad flu for Einstein, not worth even being a footnote in terms of its significance.
It was a funny routine for the mental image of Einstein alone. It also brings up a question worth focusing on. Why dwell on the suffering of Jesus? Why not skip straight to the victory of his resurrection? Why is "Good Friday" good when it commemorates such a horrific event?
Because the horror of what happened to Jesus was far more than a simple tragedy.
Even most non-Christians in America are probably superficially familiar with the idea that Jesus "paid for our sins". But many find this an odd idea, not understanding why we NEED our sins to be paid for. We're pretty much fine the way we are, aren't we?
But the cross itself demonstrates our need for forgiveness and "fixing". Jesus was tortured and killed by people who, because they were uninterested in seeking truth, were doing what they felt was right in their hearts. A zealous religious mob demanded his death, a weak government leader caved in to pressure rather than seek out the truth, and Jesus' closest friends ran as fast as they could from the soldiers who took him away, rather than defend their innocent friend.
Today we are much the same. We are thoughtlessly passionate about the wrong things and choose comfort and safety over doing what is right. We are far from being "basically good" and our actions deserve punishment of some kind.
Many people, like Oswalt, downplay the crucifixion because of a belief that we are basically good, and aren't in need of saving or redeeming. Some may argue that the good in their lives outweighs the bad, and that God will surely take that into account. But if God is truly good and perfect, then he will be a perfect judge when the time comes to evaluate each of us.
Consider this scenario:
A doctor leaves his practice early in life and gives himself entirely to feeding the poor and providing free medical care to those who would die without it. He saves hundreds upon hundreds of lives. But in time, the strain of his work becomes too much and he begins to feel bitter and entitled. He develops a problem with anger that grows worse and worse until he suddenly lashes out and kills someone. He manages to cover up the crime and for a time returns to his selfless work. But his anger and bitterness eventually swell again and he lashes out, this time killing two more people.
At his trial, the details of all three murders are revealed. The families of the victims have been shattered by the loss of their loved ones. It is clear the doctor is guilty of multiple murders. Yet when he goes before the judge, he pleads with him in complete sincerity saying, "Your honor, I know I have murdered three people and I feel terrible about it. I hate what I've done. But if you'll notice, I have saved hundreds of people who would have died without my help. And if you will let me go free I will seek help for my anger problems and dedicate the rest of my life to helping people again. Surely all these things, taken into consideration, remove the need for me to be punished for the three people I murdered."
Granted, it's a good thing for someone to admit when they've done wrong and seek to do better. But would we call the judge in this case a "good judge" if he let the man go free?
No. There must be consequences. The same is true for us.
Thankfully, God chose to let himself suffer those consequences on our behalf. We don't have to try and fix ourselves. (Anyone care to sigh in relief with me?) Metaphors for the "transaction" on the cross always fall short. But one I find helpful is that of a parent who pays for their 19 year old (and penniless) son's traffic ticket. The fault didn't belong to the parent, but out of compassion and love for their child they pay the penalty their child was due when the child asks them for help.
God will not force his gift of salvation on anyone. It's given only to those who want it, because they admit they need it.
Secondarily, the cross is encouraging to me in the way it demonstrates God's "sovereignty". His complete authority and ultimate control over everything. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. That's hard to believe sometimes when I'm in the middle of experiencing something awful. But the cross was a horrific event, brought about by the free wills of evil people. Yet somehow, God had orchestrated this event from the beginning of time, and even told the prophet Isaiah about it hundreds of years earlier. (See Isaiah 52 and 53)
The cross, brought about by many to accomplish something evil, was used by God to bring about the greatest good we could imagine for humanity. Because of that blood and pain, we are offered the gift of an eternal future more amazing than any fantasy novel we've ever read or any world that has been dreamed up by the most brilliant game designers. And because of the resurrection, we know that Jesus is who he said he was, and that he is qualified to deliver on that promise.
This Friday we may look back on a dark and horrible moment, but it's also a moment that accomplished the greatest "good" for you and me.
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