Good Friday, which is the Friday before Easter in the Christian calendar, commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and death at Calvary. This Christian day is also called Holy Friday.
Good Friday has a special significance for Christians. It celebrates the weekend we consider to be one of the most important in human history. Christians have said that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was the pivotal moment in the history of the world ever since. Paul thought it was “of first importance”, that Jesus died and was buried for our sins. Then, on the third-day, he was raised from the dead, according to what God promised in Scriptures.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
Easter follows it, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).
Why is Good Friday called that?
Why not call it “Bad Friday”, or something else similar, instead? There are some Christian traditions that take this approach. In German, Karfreitag or “Sorrowful Friday” is used.
In order for the good news in the gospel to be meaningful to us, we need firstly understand our bad news as sinful and condemned people. Only when we know how we were held captive can we appreciate the good news about deliverance. This is also a way to say that it’s important to know and understand the difference between gospel and law in Scripture. First, we need the law to show how hopeless and helpless our situation is. Next, we need the gospel’s grace of Jesus to bring us relief.
Good Friday is also “good”, as it was necessary to have that terrible day in order to be able to celebrate Easter. God’s anger against sin needed to be directed at Jesus, his perfect substitute. Only then could forgiveness and salvation be given to all the nations. God would not be able to “justify and justify” those who put their trust in Jesus without the terrible day of sorrow, blood, and suffering at the Cross (Romans 3). Paradoxically speaking, God’s plan to free the world of slavery was halted by the terrible day when evil seemed to triumph.
Cross is where we witness the convergence of God’s forgiveness with great suffering. Psalms85:10 describes a day where “righteousness will kiss each other” on the cross, when God’s righteousness and mercy would meet. Jesus took God’s punishment for our sins, which is why we are given divine forgiveness, peace, and mercy. “For joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12.2). Jesus endured Good Friday knowing that it led to the resurrection of his body, our salvation and the beginnings of God’s reign.
On Good Friday, wrath and merciful met at the Cross. Good Friday is dark and good because of this.
Good Friday Prophecy: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
The events of Good Friday are recounted in all four Gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples. He was then put on trial before Pontius Pilate.
“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.” (John 18:12-14)
He was then taken to trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where he was falsely accused of blasphemy. He was then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who sentenced Him to crucifixion at the demand of the chief Jewish priests.
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” (John 18:20-21)
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. (John 18:38-40)
The Crucifixion of Jesus:
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Matthew 27:32-44)
From the Gospel of Luke
Jesus was led to Calvary, where He was crucified between two thieves.
“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left” (Luke 23:33-34)
He hung on the cross for six hours, during which time He spoke seven last words. At about 3:00 pm, He gave up His spirit.
“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46)
The Death of Jesus
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. (Matthew 27:45-56)
Good Friday Fulfilled: “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
The True Meaning of Good Friday
For Christians, Good Friday is a day of mourning and reflection. It is a time to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity. It is also a time to remember the power of God’s love and the promise of eternal life.
Good Friday is also a day of hope and new beginnings. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end but rather the beginning of something new. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and opened the way for eternal life for all who believe in him.
God Bless You and Your Families!
Love,
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