A Very Good Friday!

For many people it’s a bit of puzzle as to why we call the day on which we remember the suffering and death of Jesus, “Good Friday.”  Especially for children, it can be quite confusing. After all, we might think that the day we remember the resurrection of Jesus would be called “Good Sunday.” But we call the day of the remembrance of his death, “Good Friday.” 

At the time it didn't feel like a good Friday. 

Of course, for Jesus’ first disciples it was hardly a good day. As they watched their teacher and master make his way up Golgotha’s hill, staggering under the weight of the cross beam on his back, already bloodied from the beatings he had received, they would have hardly considered it a good day. The women, including Jesus’ mother Mary, who stood at the foot of his cross watching him gasp for breath and then finally breathing his last one, would have hardly considered it a good day. Even for Jesus himself, as he hung there on that cross and cried out, “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” it would have hardly been a good day. 

Yet, three days later and on into the days and weeks to come, with the risen Christ in their midst, that day of suffering and death took on new meaning. Somehow it all began to make sense. The suffering and death of Jesus, as horrible as it was, was leading to something far greater—something far better, something of incredible joy…something very, very good! 

The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “But he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself… so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.”  (Hebrews 9:26 – NIV)   Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 – NIV) And, “…having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 1:18 – NIV)

Forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, the gift of salvation, victory over the enemy of our souls—and we could go on and on talking about the incredible good that has come about because of Jesus’ death on the cross! It is no wonder we call this day on which we remember his suffering and death, “Good Friday.”   

Let’s look forward to Resurrection Sunday. But, let’s pause today to worship our Savior and give thanks for the cross on this very, very Good Friday!

Have a great day and a wonderful Easter.

Pastor Tim Harris