Good Friday?

 

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45-54 ESV).

 

Today has been called “Good Friday” through the centuries following the death of Jesus as believers come together to worship what Jesus did on their behalf. However, I often ponder a bit about the validity of calling it “good” except in retrospect. Of course, as we look back at that day and the excruciating death of Jesus from the perspective of the resurrection it is easy to see the goodness of Jesus’ sacrifice. But, placing ourselves in the moment, I wonder what our reaction would have been. The high priest Caiaphas and the Pharisees got rid of a popular, influential preacher, but at what price? Pontius Pilate, the hardened Roman governor, reluctantly allowed Jesus to be crucified to appease the mob and their leaders demanding Jesus’ life. Pilate turned him over to the execution squad, for whom this was just another death sentence along with two others that day—until the centurion realized they’d killed the Son of God (v. 54).

 

If the disciples called it “good,” it was only after encountering the risen Christ (cf. John 21). And would Jesus say that Friday was “good”? The scene at Gethsemane the night before was agonizing, as Jesus prayed that He would be spared him from his awful mission. Maybe later, back in heaven with God, he could finally say, “Yes, Father, that was a good day.”

 

The term "Good Friday" first occurred in the fourth century. Some think it was originally called “God’s Friday.” Today we can call it “good” if we appreciate the fact that Jesus’ trial, punishment, and death brought our salvation. These truths are seen through the spiritual spectacles of faith. So, in that sense it truly is “Good Friday”!

 

Is this Friday good for you?