Published: March 22, 2008 12:26 am      

Good Friday celebrated in Goshen

THE GOSHEN NEWS



Jesus was arrested, tried, tortured and killed, “but the more I read this story, the more I am convinced it’s Jesus that is in charge,” said First Presbyterian Church pastor Alan Griffin during the community Good Friday service held at the Presbyterian Church in Goshen.

“He is driving the whole process,” Griffin said, not any religious or government officials or Roman soldiers.

With Jesus’ death, the cross became a symbol of God’s love.

“God’s own son received the punishment we deserve,” Griffin said.

“People who are suffering understand the cross very well and they hold to it tightly,” he said. Griffin said those who are facing death in the hospital or who are in a dark cell know what the cross means.

Griffin said God is a God of love who lays aside almightyness to come to us and be one of us. He made the cross a symbol of love.

“This truth is beyond our abilities to fully understand,” he said.

The Good Friday service featured the hymns “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” Scripture readings came from Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12, Psalm 22, and Hebrew 4:14-16.