By Jesse LeMay

            The day after Thanksgiving pulls millions of turkey-filled Americans from their homes and out into the retail abyss. Motivated and dedicated, many deal-seeking shoppers embark on their endeavor in the wee hours of the morning, braving the elements and crowds alike. Origins of this tradition are as cloudy as the eyes of some of these determined consumers; however, it symbolizes the day when many companies go from the red into the “black” financially. Ironically, the first actual use of the term was seen on September 24, 1869, and had to do with the crash of the U.S. gold market after a majority purchase by two men named Jay Gould and Jim Fisk (history.com). That day was “black” not in a positive sense, but in a negative. Despite the sorrow of that Friday, there is one even darker in the vault of history.

            Such a day is the day that our Lord was crucified. Luke the physician gives us a detailed account of this event in his gospel. Just after Jesus tells the thief that he would be with Him in Paradise, we read that darkness fell over the whole land from the “sixth hour” (noon) until the “ninth hour” (3 p.m.), “because the sun was failing” (23:44-45). There was no sunlight for this three-hour period. A “Black Friday” it was, literally and metaphorically. We know that the day was Friday, because Luke tells us that it was the “preparation day” for the Sabbath, which was “about to begin” (23:54). Metaphorically speaking, this day was dark and black because the only truly innocent and sin-free man to ever walk this earth was put to death for a crime that He did not commit. Not only that, but He was also crucified according to God’s plan for those who have sinned.

As heartbreaking as that is, it was according to God’s will. Many crazed shoppers seek deals and low prices the day after Thanksgiving that they might not normally find elsewhere. That being said, because of that fateful “Black Friday” 2,000 years ago, every one of us has been offered the biggest and best bargain that could possibly be given. A debt that was paid on our behalf, which comes with the gift of eternal life. Such a deal can only be found in Christ!