Good(?) Friday
by
Heather Koerner
on Mar 20, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Tomorrow is Good Friday, the day that many Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Christ.
I can remember as a youth (raised in a denomination which recognized Good Friday with much more emphasis than the denomination I am now a part of) wondering, quite innocently and honestly, what's so good about Good Friday?
Back then I didn't see Good Friday as anything more than a day of mourning. That was the day that Jesus, my Lord, was crucified. That was a day of humiliation, of mocking, of indescribable pain and of unbearable aloneness. I can still remember the taunting crowds in Easter pageants I saw yelling, "Crucify Him!" Why in the world would we call it Good Friday?
I loved my Lord, but it was painful to contemplate what happened on that crucifixion day. Bring on Sunday and the empty tomb! "Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes!...He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ Arose!" There was power, glory and majesty in Easter!
But what I've learned since those days is that there is power, glory and majesty in Friday as well. There was suffering, but there was ultimate sacrifice as well. There was the perfect picture of love, that one would lay down His life for another. It was when Christ died that the temple curtain was torn in two, not when He arose.
Two articles on Boundless this week do a great job of putting perspective on the events that crucifixion day. "Cherish Grace" by Carolyn McCulley and "Share Christ's Sufferings" by Jim Tonkowich. I hope you'll give them both a read.
As for me, I am still moved by Christ's sufferings and death. And, sometimes, I still just want to get on to Sunday. But I remember: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Good Friday. Yes, He is good.
1. Courtney had the following to say on Mar 20 at 2:40 PM:
When I was young, I too couldn't comprehend why Good Friday was called "good." I saw my Lord on a cross, suffering all because of me. Still to this day I have trouble calling it "Good" Friday. Although, now, I understand that, for me, it is good. Great post! Thanks for reminding us of Christ and His sacrifice and what it means to us.
2. James had the following to say on Mar 20 at 6:37 PM:
I was taught (and this was in the Episcopal Church, if you can believe that) that Good Friday was "good", because it was on the crucifixtion day that the payment for sin was delivered. I only learned much later that there HAD to be payment for sin, not simply that there was payment for it (wierd, I know), and also learned the real reason behind the glory of Easter. That is, though sin was paid for, the empty tomb proved its acceptance.
3. Louise had the following to say on Mar 20 at 8:08 PM:
I enjoyed this post.
As a child, I too questioned the "Good" in Good Friday.
But without Good Friday there would be no Easter Sunday!
4. Patricia had the following to say on Mar 21 at 5:53 AM:
I really appreciate this article. For me, this has been something I've felt deeply during this Lenten season. Reflecting on the cross is sometimes difficult because I'm reminded that following Jesus means following him not only on Easter but also as he suffers and dies.
5. Joy W. had the following to say on Mar 22 at 7:57 AM:
I, too, wondered for years how it could possibly be called "Good" Friday. It didn't make sense that a day so horrific could be described that way.
But that's the day that the atonement was made for our sins. That's the day we were made righteous by Christ's blood. That's the day we could once again be "good."
6. Marie had the following to say on Mar 22 at 11:30 AM:
One CAN find goodness in suffering. Suffering is an imperative part of our Christian journey. In the suffering one finds resurrection.
7. Rachael had the following to say on Mar 24 at 2:22 PM:
Yes, He is good. And Good Friday was good. It is finished. Though He isn't finished with us. Nice, right?
Here's a blogpost on The Blazing Center blog (one of my favorite blogs) called: "His Last Friday Was His Best". This post contains a neat analysis of what the criminal on the cross said to Jesus.
Easter's gone now...but that doesn't mean we need to stop reflecting upon our wondrous salvation. May we preach Christ to ourselves every day. I don't, but I hope I will...
8. Rachael had the following to say on Mar 24 at 4:30 PM:
Oops, sorry, neglected to post the link in comment #7. It's:
http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2008/03/his-last-friday-was-his-best.html