I Dare You
It wasn’t always smart—but it was (and still is) an essential part of growing up. You were dared to do something you’d never do on your own because of fear. But then someone pushed you—sometimes literally—and suddenly, you were going where you'd never imagined going.
Jumping off the edge of the pool into a parent’s waiting arms.
Jumping off the high dive for the first time.
Maybe even leaping from a cliff into a lake 30 feet below—between the rocks.
You remember. We all have those stories.
What’s common in all of them is facing the thought, “I’m going to die.” And the exhilaration afterward is that you didn’t. In fact, you felt more alive—vital, energized and exuberant—in a way you never could have without accepting the dare. I think that is the relationship between Good Friday and Easter.
Easter without Good Friday is like easing into the shallow end without ever jumping from the height of sheer terror. The water feels good and everyone is having a good time splashing around—but there’s no real risk or cost for the experience. Maybe that’s why so few churches lean into Good Friday—not for their members, and not for their guests. We’re afraid to face the dark places of our fears. Yet, this is precisely why God came to earth in Jesus: to help us face all of our worst fears (mostly internal) especially the fear of dying, so that we can experience the exhilaration of overcoming them and live a vital, energized and exuberant life.
This year, we’ve tweaked our Good Friday experience. It will feel different—especially at the end. If you’re bold enough to come, you’ll have the chance to sit in silence and face the worst fears you hold onto so tightly. But if you’re brave, you’ll go one step further. You’ll jump past your fears, and trust that our God will catch you and bring you to the surface Easter morning—bubbling, buoyant and alive as you have never experienced before.
So, go ahead.
Friday at 7 p.m.
In the Sanctuary.
I dare you.
Connecting God and Grace to Self and Community,
Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor
