Published: March 21, 2008 10:41 am            

Breakfast message reminds the faithful that today is truly good

“What’s so good about Good Friday?”

That question was asked this morning by Ross Eaton, speaker for the fifth day of the Men’s Holy Week breakfast series in McAlester.

The largest crowd of the week was greeted by the Balcony Brass horn players and treated to a breakfast of sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, orange juice and coffee at the First Presbyterian Church.

“Whether something is good news or bad news depends on your perspective,” Eaton said.

When it comes to the news of Jesus’ death, which is remembered on this day by Christians around the world, it is both good and bad.

It was a terrible, terrible thing that Jesus went through during his betrayal, trial and crucifixion, Eaton said.

However, he said, without these events, the world would be lost and God’s plan would not have been fulfilled.

Eaton continued to speak about two men who played a large part in the story of Jesus’ death.

The first was one of Jesus’ most famous disciples, Peter. Peter was the one who stood up and tried to defend Jesus when Jesus was arrested. Then, even after Jesus told him he would do so, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

The second was Caiaphas, the high priest who Jesus was taken to after being arrested. Caiaphas was smart, powerful and followed the letter of the law. He served as high priest for 19 years, when the average time for a man to serve in the position was two years.

“Caiaphas was probably just trying to do what he thought was right,” Eaton said.

“Both of these men’s mistakes were that they relied on their own strength. What neither did was rely on God’s strength.

“Even when good men do what they think is right, the danger is clouded judgment.

“So, what makes Good Friday good?

“God’s plan is being done.”

The final meeting of the Men’s Holy Week breakfast series begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 100 E. Washington Ave., in McAlester.

The speaker for Saturday’s breakfast will be Ted Kennedy from First Christian Church.

        

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