Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus and his death on the cross at Calvary. It is a sad day of mourning as we remember what happened to Jesus that day, but it is also a day of victory because Jesus defeated the devil when He died to pay for our sins on that cross.
Some Christians spend Good Friday in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ. We’ve been doing that for the entire season of Lent leading up to Holy Week and Easter. Years ago some churches had three-hour services divided up with the last words of Jesus on the cross, but most churches today just have a normal one-hour service. It is good to take the time on Good Friday to stop and think about the fact that this was the day that Jesus died, stop, and reflect on all that He’s done for us.
Why is it called Good Friday? This excerpt from an article on Christianity Today online summarizes it better than I can, so I’d like to quote it here:
“For the gospel’s good news to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is essential to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then, the gospel of Jesus’ grace brings us relief and salvation.
“In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26).”
Christianity Today online
The Trials continued into the early morning hours of Good Friday, ending with Jesus being sentenced to death by crucifixion on the cross. Jesus was exhausted from lack of sleep. Even if He would have had a chance to lie down or at least sit (which He most likely did not), I doubt He would have been able to rest or relax because of the pain inflicted on His body and mind. Everything about Him was on heightened alert, making rest impossible. I’m amazed that He was able to stand and walk with all the abuse His body had undergone.
The Via Dolorosa “is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path that Jesus would have taken, forced by the Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion.” Wikipedia gives more details about the path. It was a long walk which was even harder and slower while carrying a heavy wooden cross. It’s inhumane enough to use a cross for death, but to have the person carry their own means of execution seems inexcusable. Can you imagine carrying a bulky piece of wood on your back weighing approximately 165 pounds? It is said that the distance was only a half mile, but because of the weight of the cross, the crowds, and the need for frequent stops and starts, it took between one and three hours to cover the distance from the trials to Golgotha. It’s no wonder the Romans coerced Simon into carrying the cross for Jesus who was too weak to continue. They wanted to make sure Jesus was still alive when they arrived at Golgotha so they could watch Him be crucified.
The crucifixion. Jesus wasn’t alone as He was crucified. There were criminals on each side of Him, one who went up and one who went down. What happened at the cross? More insults, thirst, pain, dehydration, brief conversation, momentary separation from God, a soul saved, bystanders who may have believed, and victory when death conquered sin and the grave.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
he gave up his spirit. … When the centurion
and those with him who were guarding Jesus
saw the earthquake and all that had happened,
they were terrified, and exclaimed,
“Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:50, 54, NIV
It had to be. Nothing except Jesus’ death on the cross would have satisfied the debt of sin. The price was paid. We are free and live because He died.
PRAYER POINT FOR TODAY:
Lord, thank You for the cross and the price You paid so I wouldn’t have to. Thank You for being my substitute. I could never repay the debt I owe to You but I know I don’t have to because You gave it willingly with no strings attached.
- Week 1 – temptation
- Week 2 – confession, forgiveness, and fasting
- Week 3 – listening to God and answering when He calls
- Week 4 – God’s love for us
- Week 5 – waiting, anxiety, and trust
- Week 6 – suffering (W), pain (T), and struggles (F-S), rejoicing (Palm Sunday), Trials (M-T-W), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday
- Easter – resurrection and salvation