WHATS GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY?

Mark 15:15-25

15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

           Today is the Friday before Easter. It is referred to as Good Friday and black is its liturgical color. No bells are sounded in the bell towers and no organ is played on this day. Fourteen crosses or stations of the cross are set up in the church which trace Christ’s walk along the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Suffering. Three times Jesus falls to the ground along this way. Once a woman named Veronica stops to wipe the blood and grime from Jesus’ face. She is nowhere to be found in the Bible.

           There is some controversy regarding this day being the day upon which Jesus was crucified. It is difficult to squeeze three days and also three nights into the time between Friday afternoon and dawn on Sunday. Some scholars say that each partial day represents a full day but Jesus failed to clarify that for us. We are left to our own preferences for either strict interpretation or a more tolerant view.

           After all that has been said, the question remains as to what is good about Good Friday. Well, if Jesus had not suffered and died there would be no punishment for sin. He carried the full weight of sin for every man and then extended salvation by grace through faith. Those who claim to win heaven by their own moral behavior mock and shame the sacrifice of Jesus by doing so. Even the wicked Caiaphas understood that Jesus was to be a sacrifice although he applied this to the political situation.

John 11:49-50

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

           Today is a day to meditate upon the suffering of the Savior. Whether it be the traditional stations of the cross or simply a review of the biblical account, let us remember what it cost to redeem us. Let this humble us and make us grateful. Let this motivate us to deeper devotion. This is what is good about Good Friday.

Dear Lord, we would complain with Peter that you should not suffer such a death but we would be as wrong as he. Thank you for taking each blow meant for me. AMEN