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Why Is Good Friday So Good?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,               

As I write this article, it is Good Friday. What is so good about this day? As the world examines this day known as Good Friday, they do not view it as good. Rather, in many eyes, it is disappointing and even tragic. To them, it could not be considered as good or beneficial in any way. As they view it, this innocent man, Jesus, was condemned to die unjustly. He was a great teacher and a moral man, but his life ended so soon. Good Friday is considered by so many, even some professing believers, as Bad Friday, Sad Friday, or even Tragic Friday.

Why do so many view this day that way? Their perspective is affected by how they view Jesus: to them He was nothing more than a man. In addition, they focus on the events of Good Friday, but lose sight of what happened on Resurrection Sunday. If Jesus were a mere man, then Good Friday would not be good. If Good Friday is examined apart from Resurrection Sunday, then Good Friday is tragic indeed.

We have been studying for many months the beauty of this amazing Person: the Lord Jesus Christ. What have we seen about Him? He is the eternal God who took on human flesh through the virgin birth, being fully man and fully God, living a sinless life, teaching as no one ever taught, and doing miraculous works which attested to His deity. Because of who He is, what He did on the cross is of utmost importance. His death on the cross is not a tragic event, but the only means by which the world can be saved from sin. His death is such a vast and inexhaustible topic. Here we only scratch the surface. Let’s briefly examine four aspects regarding His death. Then we can answer: “Why is Good Friday So Good?”

  • How Jesus’ death is presented in the Scriptures

    • His death is predicted in the Old Testament (Psa. 22; Isa. 53).

    • His death is manifested in the Gospels (Matt. 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19).

    • His death is preached in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:22-23, 36; 3:13-15; 4:10-12; 5:29-30). 

    • His death is explained in the Epistles.

      • By Paul (I Cor. 1:18; 15:1-4)

      • By Peter (I Pet. 1:18-19)

      • By John (I John 2:1-2)

    • His death is remembered in Revelation—in heaven through eternity (Rev5:8-10; 21:9, 14, 22, 23, 27; 22:1,3).

  • What Jesus’ death proclaims about God

    • The cross reveals the holiness of God: He must punish sin. . . He judged sin in His Son (Psa. 22:1-3).

    • The cross reveals the righteousness of God: sin is paid for and He is just in forgiving sin (Rom. 3:24-26).

    • The cross reveals the wrath of God: His wrath is averted by His payment for sin (I John 2:2; 4:10).

    • The cross reveals the love of God: His love is demonstrated through giving His Son (John 3:16; I John 3:16; 4:9-10).

    • The cross reveals the grace of God: Jesus coming into the world to save us is undeserved (II Cor. 8:9).

  • How Jesus’ death provides salvation for the world
    Jesus’ death on the cross provides the only way of salvation from sin.

    • His death provides substitution: Jesus took our place on the cross, bearing our sin and condemnation (Isa. 53:4-6; Matt. 20:28; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18; Lev. 4:22-26).

    • His death provides redemption (the sin-ward perspective): Jesus’ blood is the ransom (the price paid) to deliver us from the slave market of sin (Rom. 3:24; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9).

    • His death provides propitiation (the God-ward perspective): Jesus’ payment satisfied the righteousness of a holy God, appeasing God’s wrath against sin (Rom.3:24-25; Heb.9:5; I Jn.2:1-2; 4:10; Ex.25:21-22).

    • His death provides reconciliation (the man-ward perspective): Jesus’ death laid aside hostility which separates God/man, resulting in changed relationship (Rom.5:10-11; II Cor.5:18-19; Eph.2:14-16; Col.1:20-21).

  • What Jesus’ death proposes for the believer
    Not only does Jesus’ death provide salvation from sin’s penalty, but also from sin’s power in daily life

    • It should result in a life of righteousness (Rom. 8:3-4; I Pet. 2:24).

    • It should result in a life of holiness (Col. 1:20-22).

    • It should result in a life of unselfishness (II Cor. 5:14-15).

    • It should result in a life of unworldliness (Gal. 6:14).

    • It should result in a life of glorifying God (I Cor. 6:19-20).

    • It should result in a life of victory over sin (Rom. 6).

What makes Good Friday so good? The amazing truth that God came down, became man, died on the cross in our place, paid the complete price for our sin. Add to it the amazing truth that Jesus did not stay dead. . . . He rose again! This truly is the good news, the Gospel. There is no better or greater news than that! How should we as believers respond to the truth of Good Friday? C. T. Studd stated it this way: “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him.” Isaac Watts, the hymnwriter, said much the same: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” He died for me, that I might live for Him. What is your personal response to Good Friday?

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie