What’s So Good About Good Friday?
Today is Good Friday. The day Christians memorialize death. Christ’s death. Christ’s crucifixion.
What’s so good about that?
In Evangelical Protestant circles, Good Friday is rarely seen as “good.” In fact, it’s often ignored. No services. Nothing.
I can recall establishing the first-ever Good Friday Service in my first year as Sr. Pastor. The church had a continuous history of over 200 years. Not only did we start a Good Friday Service; we ended it in somber silence.
People were shocked!
“What? Where’s the Resurrection!”
My response . . .
“Wait.”
As the Apostles had to wait.
As Mary the mother of Jesus waited.
As Jesus waited.
As God waited.
As all creation waited. And groaned.
What’s so good about Good Friday? The obvious answer is that without Christ’s death we would have no salvation.
The less obvious, but equally biblical answer is, Good Friday reminds us to wait in humble, somber, convicted silence and reflection. Good
Friday reminds us just how horrible sin is.
Good Friday reminds us just how holy God is.
Good Friday reminds us just how loving God is.
Good Friday reminds us just how amazing grace is.
“Wait.”
Join the Conversation
For you, what’s so good about Good Friday?
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I always wonder how Good Friday got its name . . . Because comemorating Jesus’ crucifixion is of course deeply solemn and sad.
I believe it to be one of the important Christian holy days, and find it incomprehensible that the great majority of western evangelicals ignore it completely. Part of our gratitude towards Christ must be manifested in our willingness to stop and meditate carefully on just what it cost Him to save us, and part of comprehending it is to mourn it. And yes, part of seeking after humility, part of continuing in His grace, is to reflect on and comemorate our helplessness before what sin does (puts us in the grave), our powerlessness to fix it (resurrect the Savior for our lives), and our consequent entire dependence on Him. May He be forever revered, exalted and obeyed.
Bob thanks so much for the model of pointing to Christ and grace arising on Good Friday! We wait and remember what was done by Christ dying on the cross. Appreciate your ministry so much, giving us a new look each day at making Jesus the famous one! steve