What Is Good About Good Friday?
BY JUDY COLLIER, Features Writer
Good Friday is not just a day off from work! For Christians, Good Friday is a very important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world! On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered a horrific death, flayed, beaten, and crucified.
People often ask why it is called “Good Friday”, instead of “Sorrowful Friday”? Some believe the phrase developed from an old name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely true because the suffering and death of Jesus, as horrible as it was, marked the beginning of God’ amazing plan to save his people from their sins.
To understand that we all are sinners is a bitter pill to swallow for all of mankind. On the cross is where Jesus took all the sin of humanity upon himself to reconcile mankind to God. Jesus was the perfect sinless substitute for mankind. Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.
Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That is why Good Friday is so dark and so Good! On that day, from noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land. Around three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli. Lemasabachthani?” Meaning, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The people standing around thought he was calling Elijah. One of them ran and got a sponge, soaked in wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. Then they said to leave him alone and see if Elijah saves him. It was then that Jesus cried out and gave up his spirit.
It was at that moment that the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died, were raised to life. They came out of their tombs after Jesus resurrection, and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and all that happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Paraphrased from Scripture Matthew 27:45-56
We were a powerless humanity, that Jesus died for. Ungodly people who God still loves. He demonstrated that love by sending his only Son to die on the cross with all of our sins poured out on Him, so that if we only believe that Jesus, born of Mary, is the one true Son of God. He lived as a man, died on the cross for us, and rose again three days later, Easter Sunday! Easter Sunday heralds Jesus’ victory over sin and death, giving salvation and resurrection for all who are united in faith by Him. Everlasting peace and life, available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. A gift given freely, no one can buy their way to Heaven. The only was to Heaven is a relationship with Jesus. For more information on the true Easter story, join us for Sunday service, on Easter April 7th at Angel Fire Baptist Church 10:45am
FYI: Angel’s Attic will be open April 6th and closed on April 7th and 8th for the Easter weekend.n