Good Friday

Why is it called Good Friday when it’s the day Jesus, brutally died?

Churches observe the day with a service where they remember Christ’s death with hymns, thanksgiving prayers, talk about the special significance that the day holds and observe the Lord’s Supper.

What Lenten color is observed? Violet. It is the most prominent color during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday. Violet signifies sorrow. Violet is also associated with His power and His royalty.

On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified at the place of skull or Calvary after being flogged and nailed by wrists and feet on a cross. Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. God’s wrath against sin required a blood sacrifice.

Nails did not hold Jesus on the Cross, love did. It is a good day because it was the day that He conquered sin and death so that we will never be apart from God on this side of heaven or Earth.

Jesus went through so much for each of us to become heirs of heaven. He became the bridge when there was no bridge. Good Friday is celebrated because deep down, we know the darkness within us. We are aware of the sins we have committed, and we know just how dark our actions and thoughts can be.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1: 8-10, ESV)

We need a Savior because we cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior because, without Christ, we are described as “having no hope and without GOD in the world.”

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13, ESV).

Although a bit confusing, ‘Good Friday’ is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save His people from their sin. It is good in that it was the best of days for us.

At the time, crucifixion was the cruelest form of death reserved for criminals and slaves. Jesus, the son of God was flogged and ordered to carry a cross upon which He would die. He was given a crown of thorns and the title “King of the Jews.” Little did Pilate know that posting King of the Jews was an evangelical message for all times.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30, ESV).
The term He used, ‘tetelestai’ is a banking term meaning “paid in full!” What a great meaning that gives us. All the penalties of our sins, past, present, and future have been paid. We are still required to confess them and to ask forgiveness from them.

At noon, the sky grew dark for three hours and JESUS cried out, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit,” and then He died. The curtain of the temple was mysteriously torn in two from top to bottom and there was a great earthquake. Breaking the barrier to the ‘Holy of Holies’ gave all believers prayer access to God.

After Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross, He was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a tomb. Roman guards were sent to guard the tomb to ensure no one stole the body or spread rumors that He wasn’t dead. Finally, three days later, Jesus rose from the dead and conquered death!

That is what we celebrate as Easter Sunday! He is alive and making intercession for us in Heaven. Hallelujah!

You can read the full account in Matthew 26:14-27:66, Mark 14:12-15:47, Luke 22-23, and John 18-19.

Even though the Bible doesn’t tell us to celebrate Good Friday, we observe it and call it Good Friday because it was a good day for humankind! God demonstrated His love for us through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Peter 3:18 tells us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

Prayer for Good Friday:
Father God, we thank You for Your love and that You had a plan for us from the very Creation.
Thank You Lord Jesus that You were willing to step out of Heaven and come to be our Savior.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You have revealed these things to us.
That You showed us that we need the Savior.
Lord Jesus, help us never to forget the sacrifice that You made for us.
We come to you in repentance.
We ask for reconciliation and forgiveness.
In JESUS’ Name, Amen.

Sandy Pace
Spiritual Life Director