Good News

Good Friday is the day that Christians focus on Jesus’ death. The night before he died, Jesus and the twelve disciples spent time together at the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20) and then they went to the Garden of Gethsemane. In the garden, Jesus spent time in prayer.

The time that Jesus spent in the Garden was a key moment for his journey to the cross because it was there he prepared through a time of prayer. Knowing he would carry the sins of the world, he agonized over what he was about to do and prayed for God’s will. Without this time of solitude, he would not have been able to accomplish it. (Mark 14:32-42)

Before the morning, Jesus was arrested. The Sanhedrin questioned and condemned him at sunrise. He was taken to Pontius Pilate before the Sanhedrin could put him to death. As the Roman governor in Judea, Pilate did not find any reason to charge Jesus. Pilate had Jesus sent to Herod when he realized that Jesus was from Galilee, which was under Herod’s authority in Jerusalem.

After Jesus refused to answer Herod’s questions he was sent back to Pilate. Pilate sentenced Jesus to death although he found him innocent because he feared the crowds.

Jesus was beaten brutally, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and he was stripped naked. Roman soldiers made him carry his own cross. When he was too weak to carry it the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry it for him.

Once Jesus arrived at the hill called Golgotha soldiers drove nails through his hands and ankles, he was nailed to the cross. There was a sign that said, “King of the Jews” placed over his head. Jesus took his final breath after hanging on the cross for about six hours. Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing while he was on the cross. People watching his crucifixion shouted insults at him.

Two criminals were crucified at the same time. One hung on Jesus’ right and the other on his left (Luke 23:39-46). In the end, Jesus cried out to his father, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Darkness covered the land. When Jesus willingly gave up his spirit, an earthquake shook the ground and caused the temple curtain to rip in half from top to bottom.

“At that moment the curtain of the temple 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 the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (Matthew 27:51-53, NIV)

According to the customs of the day, the Roman soldiers broke the criminal’s legs, causing them to die quicker. When the soldiers came to Jesus, he was already dead so they did not break his legs.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus’ body off of the cross and placed him in a new tomb. A great stone was rolled over the entrance, sealing the tomb. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven just like he said that he would and we celebrate Easter because of him.

Why Is Good Friday Called Good?

As believers in Jesus Christ, we put our faith in him as God. We believe that his death on the cross provided atonement for our sins as the perfect sacrifice. Through Jesus gift of grace, our sins can be forgiven. When we accept Jesus as our Savior as payment for our sins, he washes us clean and restores us so that we can stand blameless before God. It is through his gift of mercy and grace that make salvation and eternal life possible. This is what makes Good Friday Good!

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8

What makes the Good News Good?

What makes the Good News Good is because the bad news is so bad! Without Christ’s redemption and his work on the cross, we would have no one to atone for our sins. As the creator of the universe, God is holy! Jesus is a powerful reminder of who we should be praying to because of what he did for us and our focus should be on his character and holiness. There is no one that can rival his character or attributes of holiness, righteousness, and power. He is the spotless lamb that was slain and the only one worthy to die for our sins. He is worthy! For his gift, we praise him on Good Friday, Easter and every day!

In Revelation 5:1-14 John sees in a vision the Ancient One who is God.  He is seated on his holy throne. In God’s hand is a scroll that is sealed with seven seals. Written on the scroll is the fate of God’s people in the end times. When asked if there is anyone able to open the scroll, John thinks there is no one on earth, in heaven or under the earth that is worthy to open it. John wept bitterly. But then he was told that the Lion of Judah, the Root of David who is Jesus Christ will open it. We will be forever grateful to him because of what he did for us!