Yesterday was Good Friday as it is known in the Christian world. As I believe, it is not the true date of Good Friday as recorded in the scriptures however correct they may be according to translation but nevertheless it was the date Good Friday is celebrated for this year except for the Greek Orthodox Catholic religion. (Their celebration usually trails ours as they use the "old calendar.")
It is interesting to be here at the coast on this holiday because of traditions practiced by the religious community. One local church reenacts the crucifixion by a display of three crosses in front of their church with individuals posted on these crosses representing Jesus Christ and the two thieves. Posted below them are the guards all diked out in their Roman red costumes plus the jeering crowd and a gathering of sympathizers clothed in striped fabric of that era. Today if you go by their church you will again see the three crosses but around the middle one will be wrapped a purple cloth representing the risen Christ. I always find this an intriguing or perplexing display. It gives me cause to ponder at length.
While I do not claim to have a vast understanding of the Atonement in spite of time spent studying and thinking about it, I can't help but wonder what each of the individuals who participate in this ritual each year is thinking about the entire act of having the life of our elder brother, Jesus Christ, who was perfect in all things, be given to atone for the sins of mankind -- all of us! Understanding that incredible act in and of itself is most overwhelming. And then trying to comprehend all of the intracacies that accompany this entire happening is most baffling to my finite understanding.
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