GOOD FRIDAY

Why?

Growing up I was always confused at the idea of calling this ‘Good Friday.’ I understand that it is a necessary Friday, meaning Jesus had to die so that we could be saved from our sins. I also understand that it was Jesus’ purpose and intent to bear away our sins on the cross. 

However, Jesus’ suffering and the reality of my sin has always made me cringe at this day. I also think it is helpful to mourn the need for this day. The disciple’s were fearful and confused. Of course, they should have known by what Jesus had told them that He would rise from the grave, but if I had been there with them I have no doubt I would have been in the same state of fear and confusion with them. 

It was a dark day that hid the reality of victory. The morning sunrise on Sunday would show that the battle had already been won on Friday. Death defeated and defied! But still the day was dark and Jesus’ work was horrific. But let’s not miss this opportunity to remember all that Jesus was doing on the cross and in the grave.

Physical

Jesus’ death was a real physical death. One attempt to explain away the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection has been to say that He only appeared to be in a physical body. But Jesus was a man with flesh and blood and that physical body was beaten and abused. He was gruesomely nailed to the cross of real wood. Imagine, Jesus nailed to a tree that He Himself created. Jesus' side was pierced and His own real lungs filled with fluid. His death was physical and included all the pain, vulgarity, and humiliation that was common to this horrid method of torturous death known as crucifixion.

Voluntary

Jesus’ death was a voluntary mission. Jesus’ life was not taken from Him. He willingly laid it down (John 10:17-18). Jesus’ redemptive work was not some kind of reactive response to the sin of man but actually the kind intent of God from eternity past to show and demonstrate His grave and love for unworthy sinners (Romans 5:8). Jesus’ voluntarily submitted to the will of the Father in accomplishing the grand plan of reconciliation between God who is Holy and man who is sinful (Matthew 26:39).

Vicarious

Jesus’ death was vicarious. Jesus actually and truly died for every believer. Jesus did not just potentially die for you. If you are a born again believer, then Jesus actually died in your place. This is known as substitutionary atonement. This means Jesus was actually standing in your place. Imagine that you were Barabbas (Matthew 27). Had Jesus not been, there is no doubt Barabbas would have hung on that cross, but Jesus' substitution for you was just as real and infinitely more important. Jesus was the substitution for Barabbas sparing Him the pain of the cross but He spared you from the pain of eternal hell.

Victorious

Jesus’ death put death to death, crushed the serpent’s head and washed away all the sins for His people. The reason we call this “Good Friday” is because it is the day the mission was accomplished! Jesus won the victory and landed the fatal blow against death and sin and Satan on that hill far away. Jesus was lifted up on that cross and He has never stopped drawing all men to Himself since that day.

Today if He is drawing you, let me urge you to turn from the sin that made the cross necessary and place your trust in Jesus Christ who alone will save you from your sin and give you His righteous credit! Trust Him today so that you will live!

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