Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The week before Easter, known as "Holy Week," is a busy one for those who work at a church. There are several worship services that take place, as well as the great worship celebration that happens on Easter Sunday. My first Holy Week while working at a church was also the first time I actually got into what the days leading up to Easter mean. I had heard of "Good Friday" but never really understood what it meant until I went to a community Good Friday service.

I was seated with the others who were there to worship, knowing already that things would be different at this service. At my church it wasn't tradition to drape a black cloth on the cross, but this church had done just that. And when the pastors from the community came in, they were all wearing black, unlike the white or tan albs usually worn on Sundays. This gave me the feeling of being at a funeral. And as time passed and Scripture was read, I knew that was exactly where I was. . .at the funeral of Jesus.

Good Friday really is good because, without Jesus' death on the cross, there would be no reason to celebrate Easter and our salvation. But knowing that Jesus died on that cross, a painful death witnessed by his family and closest friends, was suddenly very real to me. I sobbed. I was grieving from the heart for Jesus, my Savior and Lord. I was grieving for Jesus, my brother and my friend.

Of course, Easter came with great victory over death and much to celebrate, but I will never see Good Friday in the same way that I did before I felt what Good Friday means. The death of Jesus was a great sacrifice for all humankind to become righteous through him in the eyes of God, who watched his only Son die that day on the cross.