What Makes "Good Friday" Good?

So what makes “Good Friday” so good?  Isn’t it the day that Jesus was arrested and given a mock trial and subsequently put to death?  Yes, that is true, and if that is where the events would have stopped then there really would be nothing good about “Good Friday”. 

            But the story doesn’t end there.  Jesus does not stay on the cross.  He is not contained to the tomb.  He rises from the dead on the third day.  Death is defeated!   On Friday Jesus followers were despondent, they were scattered.  They did not know what to do, they left Jesus all alone.  But it was all part of God’s grand plan to redeem us all.  Friday is dark....it is the day that Jesus pays the price for our sin, all of mankind’s sin.  If we take a moment to think about the darkest of sin we realize why Jesus suffering was so great.  He bore that sin upon himself. 

            So why is Friday good?  Because it is where our redemption starts to unfold.  Jesus takes our sin upon himself and pays the penalty for us.  We are no longer judged because of our sin.  But Friday is good only because Sunday happened.  On Sunday Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death once and for all time.  Now, rather than being held under the judgement of our sin, we are forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus.  Now, rather than being held by death, we are raised to a new life.  So even though Friday may appear to be dark and somber, don’t worry because Sunday’s on the way.  We awaken Sunday to an empty tomb.  Jesus is no longer on the cross, it is finished.  Jesus is no longer in the grave, He has risen.  For these reasons we celebrate.  I hope your worship experience on “Good Friday” is a meaningful one and I look forward to seeing you on “Resurrection Sunday”!

Pastor Stan & Polly