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Today is “Good Friday.” The day that Jesus was crucified. This is a fact. You can look up the historical documentation.
For those who consider themselves to be of the Christian Faith, it is the day Jesus Christ willingly went to his death after being betrayed, denied, flogged, beaten, and carrying his own cross up to the place of his crucifixion. And we call this “good”?!
I struggled with this concept, in the past. How could something so horrible be considered “good?” Perhaps you have wondered the same thing.
In my studying and fellowship with other Christians, I have increased my understanding of the events that happened so long ago. Biblical, as well as historical, accounts describe the vicious events quite vividly. However, the prophets of the Bible make mention of this event thousands of years before it takes place. It was foretold. All of it. The birth, death, and resurrection were documented and expected.
We used to sing a song about being washed in the blood of the Lamb, and I remember thinking how disgusting that must be. However, by His stripes we are healed, His blood makes us white as snow. Confusing contradictions? Sounds like it.
Yet, way back in the Old Testament, God required a sacrifice of an unblemished animal, often a Lamb, to atone for the sins of His people. Ultimately, Jesus Christ was that sacrifice for all mankind. The blood of an unblemished (perfect) animal (Jesus) was shed so that we (you and I) would have our sins washed away (by His blood) and be cleansed of our sins.
That brings us back to “Why is this a Good Friday?” It still sounds horrible, and we grieve for the pain Jesus endured. Yes, He suffered. He suffered immensely as all the sins of the world were placed on His shoulders and He felt that burden, but He took it all willingly, because of his love for us (all of us). It is “good” because through the death (and later resurrection) of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven.
It is “good” because it is now Friday, but we know Sunday is coming. Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is the day that Jesus Christ defeated sin and death and rose again. This is the ultimate “good news” but the process begins on Good Friday.
I wish you many blessings this Easter weekend. On this Good Friday, I look ahead to Easter Sunday when we can say “He is risen!”