What Is So Good About Good Friday?

Most Americans have attended a Good Friday church service at some time in their lives. Quite often the experience is a rather sad and gloomy time with the lights low and plenty of silence.

The message is usually pretty accurate. But there is rarely any explanation to children, or adults!, of why it is called "Good" Friday. The best I have heard from some pastors is that it is good for us, not necessarily for Jesus. And Jesus dying to cover the sins of those devoted to him truly is good news.

As Jesus was near death, his words were "It is finished." Our first interpretation when we hear those words is that it is all done. Our hopes are now gone (at least for a couple days). So the word "finished" is a negative one.

But another way of viewing "finished" is that something is complete. Jesus completed the mission he was given. He did what he was supposed to do. He could truly say to the Father, "Mission accomplished." And anytime we can give a report like that, it usually is a "good" experience.

Similarly, thousands around the world retain joy even as they suffer and are even killed for being Christian. There is joy and satisfaction in remaining faithful regardless of the cost. There is peace and hope in what may result from that suffering. So, yes, dying for God's purposes can truly be a "good" day, a Good Friday.

On a more personal note, one pastor knows that some years ago I wrote that if it takes my funeral to get one particular individual to start living for Jesus, it will be worth it. Assuming I stay committed to God, then the transfer from earth to heaven is only a matter of timing. In the mean time, if he is truly Lord in my life, I should be open to God using me in whatever way is most strategic in the lives of others. Obviously, I don't know if my funeral is days or decades from now. My hope is that my life, or at least the spoken message at the funeral, will truly make it a "good" life-giving day for somebody - hopefully some of my family and friends.

Have a "good" day.