Why is Good Friday good?
When did Good Friday first start being called good? It seems twisted to talk about a day where Jesus was made a human spectacle. A day where he was flogged, mocked, struck in the face, and spit upon. A day where he labored a cross on his back as he climbed to Golgotha. A day where he was stripped of his clothes, his dignity, and even his humanity. He was crucified on a Roman cross between two thieves. He struggled on the edge of life and death for hours while people watched and cheered. How could anything about the details of this dark day be called good? “At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. When Jesus gave his last breath, the earth shook and the rocks split.”
Mistakes, pain, evil, shame, and separation from God were placed upon Jesus. He became sin. He became the curse of sin. He received death. It was the darkest of days, and darkest of dark, and we are here 2,000 years later calling this day good?!?
Something happened! Out of the soil of sin, hate, selfishness, pain, and despair came salvation. “Where O’death is your sting?” Death has lost it’s hold. Death has been overcome. “Jesus became the sin of the world so that we could become the rightousness of God!”
2,000 years after the darkest of Fridays, we continue to celebrate the goodness of that day. The result of Good Friday has changed eternity. It has resulted in people being changed by faith in Jesus. Tonight, we hosted a special Good Friday worship service. It did not include music, preaching, or even an offering. However, tonight is one of the most exciting worship services I have been a part of in some time. We listened to and witnessed 30 people sharing how Jesus has changed their lives. Their is nothing more beautiful than a life changed.
THAT’S IT! THAT’S WHAT MAKES GOOD FRIDAY GOOD! Because of what Jesus endured and became, we can come home through Him! Today, we celebrated 30 people through believers baptism. Over 200 friends and family watched! These stories of life-change is what Easter is all about! As they travel home in their wet clothes tonight, they will have a whole new love for Jesus and for Good Friday! I know I do!
Were you there?
Posted in Lent 2008
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Dear Pastor Todd, It is Easter Sunday evening. I realize you haven’t blogged yet about Easter but I need to post you a note. For starters, many of us read your blog but just haven’t posted yet :), Second WOOOOAH! What an Easter service! I was at the 8:20 service. I have never looked at the prodigal son story as an easter story before, how perfect. I am not really sure how to even put into words, but near the end of the service and especially during the cross of doors going up to the ceiling, I felt that my heart was going to burst! What a visual! There are times during services where I wish I could just jump up and yell!!! Thank you Jesus! We are so blessed to have you as our minister Todd! I wake up every Sunday morning so excited to come and hear God’s word! What a blessing our church family is!!