Good Friday, the day we remember the trial, crucifixion, and death of our Savior, is already a day of darkness and mourning for the Christian believer. This year, amidst Covid-19 and social distancing, there is an added layer of despair, loss, and loneliness we will all feel this year.

Imagine for a moment that you were one of Jesus’ disciples or a close follower of His. You went with Him everywhere. You saw the miracles He did. You witnessed the nearness to the Father that was displayed in his every word and action. You believed He was the Messiah, the long awaited King who would bring the true Kingdom. And you believed He came to prepare for war, a war against Rome.

But then He was carried away, put on trial, beated, mocked, and hung on a cross.

And then, He died.

Wait, what?! He was supposed to be the Messiah, the Savior, the King! And He died?! He was supposed to save Israel from Rome! Image the despair, loss, confusion, and grief that those who followed Him and looked to Him for hope and rescue felt on that day.

I imagine it was a feeling of deep separation, a feeling of incredible despair, and a feeling of disorientation. I imagine it was hard to get up the next day and go about life. And I imagine there were a lot of tears shed and prayers of confusion uttered through it all.

So maybe this is a helpful season to be in as we celebrate Holy Week. Consider how you can relate all the more to the despair of those who followed Jesus closely. We have so many of those same types of feelings right now. We feel loss of nearness to others because of social distancing. We feel disoriented with reality and the uncertain about the future. We grieve over the things we have lost, and those who have lost loved ones. We shed tears and utter prayers asking God, “Why is this happening?”

This year, we may have an added despair of Good Friday, and that is okay. I think there may even be a new type of sadness that is also felt on Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection in individual households because we are unable to gather together. And that is okay.

God sees your tears. He knows your feelings of loss and grief. And He has not abandoned us.

Holy Week is a reminder that He is the one true King! He came to die for our sins and to bring the Kingdom of God. Satan was the enemy He came to fight, and the grave shows His victory for all who would trust in Him!

This year will look different than any other Easter celebration, but maybe it will help guide us closer to Our Savior with greater dependence on Our God. Maybe it will cause us to understand in a new way the depth of sacrifice Jesus gave to bring us near. Maybe, just maybe, it will stir up a deeper gratitude and affection for Jesus. And if that is the case, then praise be to God! For His alone is worthy!