GOOD FRIDAY
This Friday we celebrate what is called Good Friday by the Christian Church. It is the day that we celebrate the day on which Jesus was crucified o the Cross of Calvary. To some, this may seem odd. Why would we celebrate the day that Jesus died on the cross? We find the crucifixion of Jesus detailed for us in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. All of these chapters describe a horrible death. The Bible tells us that Jesus was beaten by the soldiers, scourged or beaten with a whip, a crown of thorns was made and pulled down over his head, and then he was forced to carry the cross which was his means of execution. The profit Isaiah described this event in Isaiah 52:14, “As many were astonied (appalled) at thee; his visage (appearance) was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” Jesus was tortured to the point that he was hardly recognizable as a man. After this, Jesus was nailed to the cross with iron nails being driven through his hands and feet. There he was left to suffer and die.
After reading these accounts many are left with the question of how we could consider this to be good. We find the answer to this question in the purpose for Jesus’ death and suffering. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The reason that we call Good Friday good is due to the fact that Jesus’ suffering and death on the Cross of Calvary is what provides us forgiveness of our sins, and thus eternal life!
When speaking of Jesus’ death on the cross we must also realize that three days later we have the first Easter Sunday. Three days after Jesus’ death came his resurrection! Luke 24 describes for us the event of Jesus’ resurrection. Here we find that very early on the first day of the week several women went to Jesus’ tomb to put sweet smelling spices on Jesus’ body. When they arrived at the tomb they found Jesus’ body was not there. While they were discussing among themselves what could have possibly happened two angels appeared unto them and said, “Why seek ye the living among the death? He is not here, but is risen…” Jesus’ resurrection shows us that he is who he claims to be, the Son of God. It also shows us that Jesus’ resurrection shows us that he is who he claims to be, the Son of God. It also shows us that Jesus has the power over death itself.
This Friday, we will be celebrating Good Friday and then Easter Sunday. We celebrate these two particular days because Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary shedding his blood for us so that we can have forgiveness of our sins. Jesus’ death has made it possible for our sins to be forgiven and for us to go to Heaven. We also celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the grave and those who come to him for salvation can say what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15: 55-57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hope to see you this Friday and Sunday!
Pastor Tom