The Real Black Friday
Immediately following Thanksgiving day, our whole nation is thrust into the “C” word — Christmas. The stores are filled with people trying to buy the most expensive gifts at the cheapest prices of the year. We call it “Black Friday,” and it is a great memorial to materialism.
The earliest evidence for Black Friday seems to have originated in Philadelphia in 1961, used by the police to describe the heavy traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.
It is sad, but materialism does take precedence on the day because most of those breaking down the doors to get into the stores have no clue as to what Christmas is all about. Having the understanding DARKENED, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians 4:18). Their hearts are black in sin with no desire to know Him Who is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).
I am reminded here of Judas, who went out from the presence of the Lord and Scripture tells us – “And it was night” (John 13:30). It is always night when you flee from the Lord! It is always night and will be eternally for those who leave this world without knowing the Lord.
There was indeed a “Black Friday” in history. It was the day that our Savior suffered death on our behalf on Calvary’s Cross. Luke 23:45 states that the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Darkness came over the whole land for three hours during which time Jesus took upon Himself our sins, paying our penalty and opening the door for our eternal salvation.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21).
Just prior to His crucifixion, the soldiers, acting as the forces of DARKNESS came under the cover of DARKNESS to take Christ captive. The whole event was veiled in darkness. Even the trials were held in the night.
You remember that just prior to the first Passover, there were three days of darkness in Egypt (Exodus 10:21ff). There were three hours of darkness just prior to the death of the Lamb of God for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The darkness was a miracle of God providing of depth of meaning as to what was taking place before all those who surrounded the cross.
Perhaps, instead of getting up early to stand in line for “Black Friday” shopping (or spending hours online for “Cyber Monday” or what have you), it would be good to take some extra time to thank and praise God for the true meaning of Christmas. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15). Thank Him for taking our eternal darkness and turning it into light. Then recommit yourself to being a light to share that glorious message with others this Christmas season (Matthew 5:16).
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission. This piece ran last Friday, our publication contains small edits to make a broader application to our universal addiction to materialism.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash