Why Do They Call It GOOD Friday?

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"Why Do They Call It GOOD Friday?" is a question that both of my girls have asked, and most likely, every thinking Christian has asked at some time or another. The logic is simple really. IF this date (Friday of Passover) is the date Jesus Christ was crucified, then what is so good about that? Shouldn't we call it "Bad Friday," or "Murder Friday," or "StupidSanhedrinBunchOfIdiots Friday?"



The answer, of course, is no. The ancients had it right when they looked at this day as being ultimately a good day. Perhaps even the Ultimate Good Day. Now I know some of you are shouting at your computer screens right now, "That Ultimate Good Day comes three days later!" Yes, yes. I know. Easter is the culmination of the Christian faith. No resurrection = no Savior; and no Savior = no Christianity.



But think about this for a moment. For us: sinners, rebels, no-good-low-rent-smooth-kneed-sight-walking-low-living-Christ-rejecting folk, there is something marvelous about Friday! Yes, the Lord came out of the tomb on Sunday! Yes, because He did we can look forward to a resurrection ourselves in that last day! Yes, it proves that He is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings! But none of that would matter...if. it. wasn't. for. Friday. (Whew. I got my preacher on for a minute there.)



See, without the crucifixion, we could not celebrate the resurrection. In-other-words, without Friday, we would have no cause to celebrate Sunday. The Resurrection would have been little more than a historical blip on the radar. An interesting fact, with no redeeming value. The Bible makes this abundantly clear.



First we have redemption through His crucifixion. Paul said, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). The picture of redemption is something being bought back. The price has been paid and it is through the blood of Jesus Christ that God bought us back from the Devil. Peter also reminds us of this when he says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Second, we have been brought closer to God because of the crucifixion. Again, Paul says, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Eph 2:13) Good Friday broke down the partition and makes the way possible for us to enter into the very presence of God. Now, friends and neighbors, that's a pretty good day. (Remember that ripped veil? It was what separated the people from God. But that's gone-baby-gone; thanks to Good Friday.)

There is so much more. For instance, we have been sanctified (Heb. 13:12), justified (Romans 5:9), and cleansed (1 John 1:7) because of Good Friday.

But, the third thing I want to show you is that we have reestablished peace with God. Did you know as a no-good-low-rent-smooth-kneed-sight-walking-low-living-Christ-rejecting sinner, God was at war with you? That's right. You and God were enemies. Still are, if you have not accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. But Good Friday allowed there to be peace between mankind and God. Paul said, "

And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God." (Col 1:20) He made peace through the blood of His cross, another benefit of a really, really good Friday.

Think about it. Redemption, closeness to God, sanctification, justification, cleansing of our sins, and peace with the Maker, and that just begins to scratch the surface of this day in history.



I kinda-sorta think that makes it one awfully good Friday. How 'bout y'all?