Usually, the word “good” is associated with things that are beneficial and bring cheer and hope. Two thousand years ago on “Good Friday”, Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son of God was betrayed, abandoned, brutally beaten, nailed to a cross, then died.
Betrayal. Abandonment. Brutality. Crucifixion. Death. Nothing about that sounds “good” does it? But it is good. And here’s why—the Son of God:
Betrayal. Abandonment. Brutality. Crucifixion. Death. Nothing about that sounds “good” does it? But it is good. And here’s why—the Son of God:
- Suffered and died to pay the penalty for our sins (Heb 2:17, 1 John 4:10);
- Defeated the power of Satan, sin and the sting of death (1 Cor 15:51-57);
- Set free all, who by faith, repent and trust in Him (Mk 1:15, Luke 13:5, Eph 2:8-9);
- Made us ambassadors of Christ and ministers of the Gospel of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-20);
- Provided a way for the Father to impute His righteousness to those who believe (2 Cor 5:21).
Now that’s good news!
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
~Romans 5:6-11
Those who witnessed Jesus Christ drink the cup of God's wrath, by taking our punishment and dying our death on the cross, thought this was the worst day ever recorded in history. They had forgotten what Jesus told them...Sunday is coming!
“And taking the twelve, He said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and on the third day He will rise.’”As you prepare to celebrate Good Friday, remember why Christ had to come, why we need salvation, what we are saved from and how we can honor and exalt His name with every breath we have.
~Luke 18:31-33
May your Good Friday be spent in such a way, that it seems good in the eyes of the Almighty (Gal 1:10, 2:20).
