What is good about Good Friday? Why isn’t it called Bad Friday? Because out of the appallingly bad came what was inexpressibly good. And the good trumps the bad because though the bad was temporary, the good is eternal.” ~ Randy Alcorn
What’s so “good” about Good Friday? That is a fair question. When you research the history of how this day came to be called “Good Friday,” you won’t discover anything concrete. History suggests Good Friday originated from “God’s Friday” and over time became “Good Friday.” Regardless of how it came into being, we can still address the question of what’s so “good” about Good Friday? Reflect, if you will, for a moment on the events in your life that helped lead you into a deep and meaningful relationship with God. In my case, it was alcoholism and addiction that did everything but killed me. I repented from that old life at the age of twenty-one and have never looked back. What leads people to God the majority of the time is heartache and becoming crushed by self-imposed crises. In the end, what seemed so “bad” ends up being “good.” Are you following? The moments when you have been closest to God have been when things were painful, dark, and destructive. If not for these horrific experiences, most people would not enjoy a personal relationship with God. Who desires God when everything is going your way, not many, until they experience God’s amazing grace?
Good Friday was the day in the world’s history when a mixed bag of folks crucified Jesus the Christ. Crucifixion is a brutal execution. Jesus hung on a cross, with spikes in his hand and feet, a spear was gouged into his side, a crown of thorns smashed into his skull, his back and sides riddled with deep wounds from being whipped. He hung on the cross for six hours until His heart exploded in His chest. You can say that Jesus died from a broken heart. What is good about any of that? Well, the world response would be “NOTHING,” but in the spiritual realm, it was “EVERYTHING.”
Jesus came for one primary purpose, to endure the cross. Yes, He revealed God’s true character, which is grounded in justice, righteousness, and peace, but ultimately Jesus came to save humanity from themselves. Because Jesus said “yes” to God, humans have a chance to experience salvation. Salvation is unattainable without the sacrifice of Jesus. Humans can’t save themselves. The death of Jesus seemed like bad news, but it turned out to be what Christians call the Gospel of the Kingdom “good news.” The band MercyMe wrote a smash hit called “Best News Ever,” which contains the lyrics, “it’s not just good news, it’s the best news ever.” So that my friend is what’s “good” about Good Friday.
Every person has a chance to say “yes” to God, experience eternity with the Creator of the universe, and have victory over the hurts, habits, and hang-ups (sin) in their life. Without Jesus, none of this is possible, but because of what happened during the week of Good Friday, now everything is possible for those who choose to believe. I don’t know where you are on your spiritual journey, but your bad news can become the best news ever by turning your will and life over to the care of God. I hope you choose the best for your life.
Lord, Thank You for turning my bad into good. Without the bad, I am not sure there would be any good. What seemed to be a horrible thing for Jesus ended up becoming the best thing for me and all of humankind. Please allow me to experience the gift of the cross and resurrection at the highest level possible this Easter. Allow my blessed life to be a blessing to others today. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine always materialize, now and forever, Amen.
Leave a Reply