“But he was pierced for our transgressions, … he was crushed for our iniquities” – Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
HOW CAN “GOOD FRIDAY” BE GOOD?
When I was young, I would think about Jesus dying on the cross. My thoughts were, “Poor Jesus. He did so much good, and he was treated so bad. Why did he have to die? Why did they have to kill him?”It made me sad and confused, and I tried not to think about it.
But, let’s think about it now.
Crucifixion was the Roman’s way of producing terror upon society, and imposing their rulership over the people. Crucifixion was a horrific way to die. The Latin word, “excruciate,” originated to describe the agony of crucifixion.
“EX – out,” “CRUX (or CRUCIO) – cross.”
Excructiate: Literally means “Out (from) the Cross,” indicating the horrific pain the cross inflicted.
So dreadful was crucifixion, that the Romans used it to invoke terror upon the societies they ruled. Men were crucified hanging naked in shame, humiliation, and pain for crimes committed. Their corpses at times would hang upon their crosses until vultures and maggots would peck and completely decay the flesh of their dead bodies. Corpses remained in view of all society as a warning against rebellion, with history recording some skeletal remains hanging on crosses in public sight for over twenty years. It was stated that Nero would burn those he crucified on crosses, making them human torches to light up his parties at night.
Thinking about Christ’s crucifixion, we need to understand that Jesus’ agony was something very uncommon, because He in fact received a double torture, being whipped and scourged on Thursday. Few men were able to survive this extreme torture alone, but early the next morning Christ in commitment to do the will of the Father, carried His cross all the way to Golgotha (and please note: The Bible never records that Christ fell down on the way to the cross). Christ was brutally nailed to the cross early on Friday morning.
Consider the following: Most artists’ paintings depict Christ on the cross, hanging in agony and wrapped in a waist cloth. However, history is accurate in recording that the Roman Empire crucified their victims completely naked, and this was done to invoke humiliation and shame on the crucified. There is no doubt therefore that Jesus was stripped of his clothes before being nailed, and He hung completely naked in shame and agony. He was naked bearing our sin, so that we in our sin might be clothed in His righteousness. What a glorious savior He is!
It was on the cross that Jesus prayed and forgave for the Romans who nailed Him. It was there that he forgave a thief hanging next to Him. His agony increased in soul as He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He cried, “I thirst,” in His extreme physical suffering. And then according to John’s gospel, His last words were, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Christ’s phyisical life ended, and they pierced his side with the proof of blood and water proceeding from the wound to assure his death.
BUT BASED ON THESE THOUGHTS … HOW CAN THIS DAY BE CALLED “GOOD?”
Theologians called it GOOD FRIDAY with the origin of the word “good” being subject to debate, with some stating that the term was derived from the Anglo-Saxon, “God’s Friday.” The word “Good” in “Good Friday” certainly doesn’t refer to something initially positive, but historians believe it stemmed from the meaning of “good” as “holy” or “pious” in Old English. This theory is strengthened by the fact that other languages have similar terms for Good Friday that translate more directly to “Holy Friday.” German Christians during the Reformation used the term “Karfreitag” which means “Sorrowful Friday”.
No matter, because as terrible as this day was in terms of His suffering, Christ’s death and His resurrection from the dead on the third day, brought an OVERWHELMINGLY GREAT GOOD to the human race. It was at the cross that Christ purchased the gift of eternal life. Because of this day we’re now able to receive the forgiveness of God from all our sins, all because Jesus died to take away the sins of the whole world. (John 1:29, 35)
This was God’s amazing plan to save people, and to enter into a living, vital, and loving relationship with men and women, and when Christ cried out “It is finished,” He was speaking about His death having the power to break the hold of sin upon the human race.
The phrase, “It is Finished,” (John 19:30) is the single Greek word “TETELESTAI,” which means “a work that is complete to which nothing can be added.” These last words of Christ split history in two, purchasing salvation for the whole of humanity. The work of Christ is complete. Nothing can be added. His blood has paid for your sins. Death and sin has been defeated.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18,19)
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins… But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” (1 Cor. 15:17,20)
Christ is indeed raised from the dead, and the price for our forgiveness has been paid.
This is why this day is GOOD.
This is why this day is in fact, GREAT!
I must ask you now … Have you received Christ?
Salvation’s gift has been purchased for you by a loving savior on Good Friday, and not only this, but because we know the end of the story, Christ rose from the dead to confirm His Deity and Lordship.
“… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11 (NKJV)
