Why Is Good Friday, "Good"

If you're a normal reader of my blog, you'll know I don't get into religion and politics very often.  But this is one that I'm not scared or embarrassed to share.

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So why DO we call "Good Friday", Good?

Wouldn't "Good Friday" be considered an oxymoron?  What’s so good about a day when someone died?  We all celebrate life but why celebrate death?  What’s so good about the death of Jesus?
On Good Friday Christians everywhere commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death by crucifixion of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  But why would we call that Jesus was crucified, "Good"?
It is good because of the good thing that happened many, many years ago - the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If He didn't die we would not be here.

If you were to ask me, "Would I die for a friend?" "Would I die for my enemy?" "Probably not".

The Bible says in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This is what Jesus did for us.
He paid our sin debt in full. He took the blame for all the wrong things we have ever done and He willing submitted Himself to the Father and died in our place, taking the punishment we deserve.

So on this Good Friday ... I am reminded how much God loves me.  And you.  Jesus agonized the night before, knowing the pain he was about to suffer.  He even prayed to God for another way: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” - Luke 22:42 (PS: Cup = God's wrath).
Imagine all the wrong you’ve ever done – everything that you’ve ever been ashamed of.  Now imagine someone who never did any wrong taking responsibility for your mistakes.  That’s Jesus.  He took your punishment.  He took mine.

And because of that we now have hope.  We now have eternal life if we claim Jesus as our Savior.  And that’s why we call it Good Friday.

So as you are hiding Easter eggs for the kiddos and spending time with the family ... remember the family member who is present - but not seen.

In the words of Father Mike Baldwin (previous priest at St. Vincent de Paul): "You are soooooo good!"



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