Good Friday

What Is Good Friday?

At first glance, there seems to be nothing ‘good’ about it. Good Friday is the day Christians remember the suffering, rejection, and death of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Yet Christians call it good because through the death of Jesus, God made a way for everyone, all of us, to be forgiven of our sins and be brought back to a good relationship with Him.

The Bible teaches that all people are sinners and stand in need of forgiveness. A sin is everything we think, say, do, or don’t do that doesn’t honor God. We can never be good enough to make ourselves right with God. But in His love and mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus lived a sinless life and then willingly gave His life on the cross, bearing the judgement our sin deserved.

That is the good news of Good Friday. At the cross, God’s justice was satisfied and His mercy was displayed. Jesus took our place so that all who repent of their sin and trust in Him might be forgiven and receive eternal life.

For believers, Good Friday is a day to remember with gratitude and worship. For those who may not know Christ, it is an invitation to consider the love of God shown through the cross. Good Friday reminds us that we are more broken than we want to admit, but also more loved that we can imagine and no one is beyond the reach of grace.

And while the cross is central to the story, it is not the end of the story. Good Friday points us forward to the hope and victory of Easter Sunday.

Grace and Peace
Brian Frank