What’s so GOOD about Good Friday, I often wondered as a child, sitting in church on Good Friday. Why did everyone call “good” a day where Jesus died.
I liked Jesus as a child. I loved the way He healed and forgave. I listened in wonder to His teachings when the Gospel was read.
On Good Friday I cried and cried, even though I knew Easter was coming. I just couldn’t understand Good Friday.
Fast-forward to my teenage years after a terrible accident left me trembling in pain alone in the ICU crying out to God for mercy, for relief. Then I realized. God had chosen pain for me. He had made a choice to go to the cross. I would never choose pain for anyone, I decided. But especially not for someone who was going my own way, living for my own glory.
In the hospital bed, I gave my life to Christ and in the weeks and months to follow I voraciously read the Bible. In the Scriptures, I learned something amazing. I discovered that Jesus took my place and paid the penalty for my sin on the cross, that the wrath of God against my sin was poured out on Innocent Jesus. Like a Lamb to the slaughter, Jesus willingly endured the pain, the cross. He died for me. Suddenly, it made sense why Good Friday was good.
Paul sums it up: “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach– if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister” (Colossians 1:21-23 NASB).
So, now because of the cross, I am reconciled to God, no longer destined to suffer His wrath because His anger against my sin was poured out on Jesus as He hung on the cross.
Thank You, Lord for Good Friday!
May you be blessed this Easter season with an awakening in your soul, an understanding of two historical events: Jesus’ Death & His Resurrection. God bless you.
Love,
Meredith Curtis
