Dr. Fr. Davis George
Have you ever wondered what is good about Good Friday? Why do
we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event
commemorating a day of suffering, torture and execution of Jesus on a
cross? Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates the
most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and
was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to
be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it to be “of
first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to
life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along
in the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3).
On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered
and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 Jn 2:2).
It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised
from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a
future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Rom 6:5). He
was beaten, mocked, spat upon, and ridiculed with a robe and a crown of thorns.
He had his back lacerated by the Roman “cat-o-nine tails” whip. A whip that did
more than just breaking the skin, it tore into his flesh. Then Jesus
began His walk to Golgotha’s hill carrying the heavy cross that he would be
nailed onto. Jesus suffered the shame of the cross - a punishment for
criminals. Jesus was publicly humiliated and shamed. Throbbing with pain,
anguish, torment and a terrible thirst! On the Cross Jesus cries out
“Tetelesti” which we translate as “It is Finished!” Tetelesti is a declaration
of victory not defeat. I have done it! I have accomplished God’s plan of saving
humankind from sin and death.
Good Friday marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to
save his people from their sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave
His only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through Him.” (Jn 3:16-17) He did not spare
his own Son, but gave him up for us. (Rom 8:32) “While we were yet helpless, at
the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for
a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to
die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us.”(Rom 5:6-8) “He loved them to the end.” (Jn
13:1) “You are not your own: for you are bought with a price." (1 Cor
6:19-20) And He paid the price in full on the cross. That is why Good Friday is
good. Salvation is available to all who place their trust in Christ because of
what he did on Good Friday. How much does God love you? Jesus was asked.
He stretched out his hands on the cross and said, “THIS MUCH.”
It is on this day we could see to what extent God made himself
vulnerable, humble and obedient to save human kind. “Though Jesus was in the
form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied
himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto
death, even death of a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted
Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.” (Phil 2:6-11)
Good Friday is the day of reconciliation, forgiveness, healing
and salvation. On the cross while dying Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) Jesus came into the world as
saviour of the world. And that he proved on the cross. There is tremendous
power in the cross and power in his blood to cleanse us from sickness and
death. "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and
familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised,
and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our
suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and
afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds
we are healed." (Is 53:3-5) “He himself bore our sins” in his body
on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his
wounds you have been healed.” (1 Pt 2:24)
The cross is the symbol of hope and consolation for those who
endure untold sufferings in life. “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I
will draw everyone to myself." (Jn 12:32) The cross manifests the power
and wisdom of God. Death is not the end of life. Without cross there is no
crown. Without death there is no resurrection. “For the joy set before him”
(Heb 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his
resurrection and our salvation. Good Friday is “good” because it had to
happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. Paradoxically, the day that seemed
to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s
gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage. Though he was crucified,
Jesus is risen and alive. "Why
do you search among
the dead for Him who is living?"(Lk 24:5)
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