Why do
we call it Good Friday if that’s the day that Jesus
died?
What’s
good about that? To be honest, even after I became a Christian, I didn’t really
understand the significance of Good Friday. After I became thirsty for His
truth and started to grow in my faith, through learning and daily study of
God’s Word. I learned the significance of Good Friday, the actual day that
Jesus was crucified, it became clear to me. Now, whenever I really think about
it, my understanding is renewed, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
Good
Friday is good because that is the day that we celebrate and honor the fact
that Jesus Christ chose to die for us. Celebrating Good Friday means you
understand the importance of Christianity and what this day means to us
believer and our faith.
Jesus knew that his mission was now
finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine
was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch,
and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is
finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
Recognizing
the importance of Good Friday, along with the celebration of Easter on Sunday,
is a part of my faith. It’s important to me that I be able to show
and share the importance of this day to my family and others. This day says we
cannot save ourselves. Without Christ’s selfless act, without His choosing to
give His life, we would be living by the law, and not by grace. That’s the
reason Christians put so much emphasis on Good Friday and Easter as such
important holidays. It is a large part of the “why” behind the celebration of
our salvation.
“Good Friday is the mirror held up by
Jesus so that we can see ourselves in all our stark reality, and then it turns
us to that cross and to His eyes and we hear these words, “Father forgive them
for they know not what they do.” That’s us! And so we know beyond a shadow of a
doubt that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. We see in that cross
a love so amazing, so divine, that it loves us even when we turn away from it,
or spurn it, or crucify it. There is no faith in Jesus without understanding
that on the cross we see into the heart of God and find it filled with mercy
for the sinner–whoever he or she may be.” Robert G. Trache
Please
join me in celebrating Good Friday and may you and your loved ones enjoy this
Easter time and receive God’s grace and blessings.
