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If anybody has seen the Passion of the Christ, which depicts Jesus’ last hours in painful detail, they will wonder why Good Friday is called ‘Good Friday.’ At least that was my idea between cringing at the lashes and noticing Jesus’ apparent anguish.
As a new Christian, the video was highly recommended to teach me about Good Friday and Easter, but I pondered, “Why is it called Good Friday when it’s the day Jesus was brutally killed?”
Why Is It Called Good Friday?
For Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it commemorates what we believe to be the most momentous day in world history.
On Good Friday, Jesus willingly suffered and died via crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
D.A. Carson put it this way: “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was his unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was his love for sinners like me.”
It’s a good day because he changed places with you and me. It is a good day because it was the day Christ defeated sin and death, ensuring that we shall never be separated from God on this side of heaven or the other.
If you had asked his friends, family, and disciples on the day he died, they would not have said it was a good day because all hope seemed lost; evil and death appeared to have triumphed, but their responses three days later would have been very different because the forces of evil had been defeated, death had been destroyed, and from that point forward, we all have a way to be free of sin and death.
Nonetheless, some have questioned where the name Good Friday originated. Justin Holcomb stated, “Some Christian traditions do embrace this approach: in German, for example, the day is named Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.”
In English, the origin of the phrase “Good” is debatable: some say it derives from an ancient name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of its origin, the term Good Friday is fitting since Jesus’ suffering and death, as horrible as they were, signified the dramatic completion of God’s purpose to rescue his people from their sin.”
It’s named Good Friday because, by his death, Jesus became the ultimate, complete atonement for our sins. We couldn’t get rid of our misdeeds. Our hands would have been soiled with every single transgression for the rest of our lives. But Jesus overcame the chains of death and sin!
What Happened on Good Friday?
So, how did Jesus die for us? What transpired that day? According to the Bible, Judas, Jesus’ disciple and buddy, betrayed him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was seized and brought to the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, for an informal late-night gathering of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.
They had planned to put Jesus on trial. They looked for proof to warrant his execution, but they couldn’t discover any.
Finally, the high priest asked Jesus, “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Then he said, “I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand and coming back on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest responded, “You have just heard His blasphemy! Why do we need any further witnesses? What’s your verdict? They all yelled, “He deserves death!” Then they spit in Jesus’ face and began beating him.
After he was condemned in their fake trial, they brought him to Pilate since they lacked the power to execute anyone under Roman law.
They falsely accused Jesus of treason against the Roman Empire for claiming to be the ruler of the Jews and encouraging others not to pay taxes. Pilate, on the other hand, recognized Jesus was innocent of any wrongdoing; yet, the multitude demanded that He be executed. So he washed his hands of it and followed the crowd’s wishes.
Why Is Good Friday celebrated?
Jesus went to great lengths to ensure that every one of us became heirs of paradise. He became the bridge when there wasn’t one. Good Friday is celebrated because we all know the darkness inside ourselves. We are aware of the sins we have committed, and we understand how dark our acts and thoughts may be.
When we reflect on the things that have stained our hands, we know deep down that the crimes we have committed are deserving of retribution. Especially when we recognize God’s righteous norms.
The challenge for us is that living for God involves sinless perfection, which none of us possess. Not one, until Jesus came and took our place on that long-ago Friday!
That is why we need a Savior, whom Scripture describes as Jesus Christ (Luke 2:11; Titus 2:13–14). We require the Savior, Jesus, because we must be made holy: “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). We need a Savior since we can’t rescue ourselves.
We require a Savior because, without Him, we are defined as “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
Prayer for Good Friday
Father God, we are grateful for your love and the plan you have for all of humanity. You adored each of us from the start and sent your kid to us. Thank you for your ministry. We thank you for the life he lived and are eternally thankful for his sacrifice on the cross.
As we approach the weekend, may we recall with amazement and awe how he suffered for us; how he paid the price, and at such a high cost. You bore our sins through crowns of thorns and scourging, as well as the crucifixion. We pray that we will remember to carry our cross and follow you.
May we never forget what Christ has done for us. He gladly surrendered himself to death, dressed in humility and grace, so that we might live eternally. We are grateful for the depth of his love, stretched out on a terrible wooden cross.
We come to you with repentance, reconciliation, and forgiveness. You redeemed us with the power of the cross. May we not linger on our pains, but instead place them at Your feet, believing that You know what is best for us.
Heavenly Father, how wonderful and kind is your magnificent redemption plan for mankind? We are grateful to You as we travel through this day, remembering the great love and sacrifice of Your darling Son, Jesus. In Christ’s name, we pray, amen!
Conclusion
Good Friday is deeply meaningful and significant for Christians all across the world. It is a day of remembering and meditation on Jesus Christ’s selfless sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. The term “Good Friday,” which appears contradictory, signifies the greatest act of love and the hope it provides for redemption.
Using rituals, observances, and theological interpretations, Christians remember and commemorate this watershed moment in their religion. Good Friday reminds us of the great effect of Jesus’ crucifixion and inspires us to reflect on the transformational power of his sacrifice.
