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What is Good Friday?

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What happened on that Friday? Jesus was tried by the Jewish court system and found guilty of blasphemy by proclaiming Himself the Son of God. He was then sentenced to death. However, only the Romans were able to execute criminals. Therefore, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, who sent Jesus to Herod, before being sent back to Pilate. Pilate told the chief priests and crowd “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him." The crowed shouted with one voice, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” Pilate argued because he wanted to release Jesus. However, they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” and their voices prevailed. (Matthew 27).

Although I do not believe we will ever comprehend with our carnal mind, the agony, pain and abandonment that Jesus felt on the cross, I can’t help but recall the depiction of that heart wrenching crucifixion scene in the movie, The Passion, and knowing He endured all of that gruesome punishment for me.

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, has been a confusion for many Christians. If Jesus suffered and gave His life on this Friday: then why in the world would we call it good, holy or great?

We can call it Good Friday, because Good triumphed over evil. When Jesus died, He became the living sacrifice for us all. His blood would cover all our sins. For us, this becomes Good Friday, because His sacrifice became good for us.

On this day the veil of the temple was torn asunder, making it Holy Friday. Because of what Jesus accomplished on this day, we can all enter into the Holy of Holies, the very throne room of Almighty God.

It’s a Great Friday because great is our God and greatly to be praised. This was a Great Friday for all of mankind. Because Jesus died, we can share (as part of the Body of Christ) in His greatness and His Glory.

As we approach this Good Friday, I hope you will take time to reflect on the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us all and how special you are to God.

  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
  • "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.” Isaiah 53:5
  • "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” Peter 3:18