GOOD FRIDAY

A day of darkness. A day of destruction. The day when a good man was crucified by those who did not understand him. The day when God’s promises seem to be extinguished.               

This picture shows the death of Jesus, but not on the usual wooden cross. Instead the cross has been turned into a strange flower, with thorns and bell-like flowers. No such plant exists. Possibly the idea of this plant came from a verse in the Bible: "Like a lily among thorns is my darling ..."  (Song of Songs 2:2). Christians interpreted this verse as a prophecy about Jesus. The picture was painted 600 years ago on the ceiling in the parish church of St Helen's in Abingdon. The image of a young man, sacrificed but in the end triumphant, is one that can be found in many ancient traditions. It represents the triumph of light over darkness and hope over despair. Jesus, promised his friends that he would return to them. But for the moment, this Good Friday, they can only wait in hope.