Description: Ziziphus spina-christi likely used to make crown of thorns. (PC: Ty McFarland)
Before I became a Christian I had no idea what Good Friday was or why it’s good. However, when I understood the full significance of Good Friday it changed my faith.
I hope this post will help you understand the weight and glory of Good Friday.
Good Friday Is
Good Friday is the day we celebrate that the Son of God –Jesus the Christ- died on a cross. But how is this good? Is it good that evil men murdered the author of life?
God Died Because
The Bible tells us that we are sinners by nature and choice deserving death, wrath and hell. This is a terrible problem.
Sadly, we cannot remedy this problem. We need help. We need someone to do what we can’t… we need a Savior.
God’s Solution is Atonement. On the cross the creator became a curse to take our curse of sin so that we might live through him.
Description: The site where the crucifixion is believed to have happened. (PC: Ashley Sherron)
The Goodness of Jesus’ Death
Only when we understand what Jesus accomplished on the cross can we truly understand that it was good (for us) for Jesus to die.
- Jesus died for our Forgiveness: The Bible says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)
Jesus went to the cross to shed his blood in our place for our sins so that we can be forgiven of our sins. This is good for us.
- Jesus died for our Propitiation: The Bible says, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9)
For our sin we deserve God’s righteous wrath. Yet, God’s wrath is diverted from us because Jesus took it for us. This is good for us.
- Jesus died for our Justification: The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 3:23-24)
As sinners we are legally guilty before God and unable to make ourselves right (legally justified) with God. Jesus died to make us right with God. This is good for us.
- Jesus died as our Ransom: The Bible says, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
As sinners we are indebted to God for our sin against God. The debt is too great for us to pay. Jesus generously pays our debt by dying. This is good for us.
- Jesus died to give us HIS Righteousness: The Bible says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
On the cross there was a “great exchange” as Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. In Christ, we are made righteous. This is good for us.
Celebrate the Goodness
At the cross of Jesus we see the mercy and justice of God displayed in the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.
This Good Friday I invite you to meditate on the cross. See the goodness of Jesus’ atoning death. Celebrate Jesus as our good God who saves us.
Immerse Yourself:
Listen to “Good Friday | Easter Drama Day 6” on Spreaker.
Prayer:
There isn’t much more that we can say, Lord, other than, thank you. You gave everything. I’m so grateful. Thank you for dying for me and my sins, Lord. Thank you for hope, redemption, and true love.
Reflection Questions:
- Take a moment to stay in prayer and meditate on the cross. God gave everything so you could live. How does that make you feel?
by Bubba Jennings, Resurrection Church
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