Crucifixion Friday, the Friday before Resurrection Sunday, is a commemoration of the day of the immense suffering and crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross.
So why call it good?
It is so, because it is the decisive day that celebrates one of the most significant moments in the history of the world.
Ever since Jesus died and was raised more than 2000 years ago, Christians have proclaimed the cross of Jesus to be the turning point for all people, and even more so for all believers in Jesus Christ, as Redeemer. Paul considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised by his prophets all along throughout the ages. (1 Corinthians 15:3). We remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you, except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Paul made up his mind not to emphasise any other theological concepts while teaching the Corinthians, than making sure that they understand the message of the cross of Jesus Christ as central truth that makes all other Christian teaching understandable. Not even the message of the Resurrection of Jesus can be comprehended without properly receiving the message of the cross.
This is true, because before we understand the good news of the gospel and of the victory of Christ, we have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we have been mortally oppressed by the consequences of sin.
Crucifixion Friday can be called “Good Friday” because as horrifying as the suffering of Jesus was, it had to happen for us to be able to receive the joy of the Resurrection. And this Friday can only be good, because we know that Sunday is coming.
The wrath of God came upon Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb, in order for forgiveness, redemption and victory to be given to his people.
The horrific day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was an act of God to redeem us from the burden of sin.
On Good Friday we learn that God’s wrath met his mercy and grace at the cross.
Crucifixion Friday is “Good” because the suffering of Jesus brought us the joy of salvation, his death brought us eternal life and his sacrifice redeemed us from our guilt.
And it is good, because without Good Friday, there would have been no Easter Sunday!
When Jesus was a child, every Hebrew child was taught to pray, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" before going to sleep.
When Jesus died, he did not speak some great, philosophical wisdom. When he left this world to enter Paradise, Jesus spoke a childhood prayer. The shadows have lengthened and the end has come and Jesus died. The Son was going home saying "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus was not in the hands of sinful men any more. Now he would go to his Father. The Father who had forsaken him while suffering hell, forsook him no longer.
The Father who punished him in our place for our sins, stopped punishing him. He does not die the death of a criminal. He went through hell for our sake, but his redemption work was finished and his Father condemned him no longer.
At the end of that dark day, the Father was there, and into his hands Jesus could commit his spirit.
Learn of Jesus how to die; how to go to Paradise by sincerely committing your spirit into the Father’s hand.
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