It does seem quite strange that the figure of a tortured man nailed to a wooden cross should be designated “good” and even more strange that it should be a central aspect of Christian worship as far back as we can go. Let us be clear that suffering such a horrible death cannot be considered good in itself for anybody.
It is because of the wider picture and the context of the Cross in the great narrative of all who Jesus Christ is and what he has done that we begin to see what is good about “Good” Friday.
When we look in the Bible, we see that Jesus Christ was not just any man. We read of him “In the beginning was the Word and the word became a human being.” (John 1v1-14) The great mystery of how Jesus could be both God and man has been central to Christian thought throughout the history of the church. What we can be clear about is that when humankind nailed Jesus to the Cross it indicated that, to put it mildly, our relationship with God was not what it should be.
Someone once said that “When we couldn’t have cared less, God couldn’t have cared more.” Despite our violence and hatred (even Jesus’ disciples deserted him) God never stopped loving us. In his agony on the Cross Jesus cried “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Despite what you and I have done or not done, God’s love for us never changes.
So, we call it GOOD Friday because it shows us how much God loves us.
But there is more. When Jesus hung on the Cross, he was removing all the guilt and shame in our lives and taking it upon himself so that we do not have to bear the burden anymore. We no longer need to prove ourselves to ourselves or anyone – not even to God. Why? Because our sin has been removed and we can now enjoy the perfect, pure and unconditional love of God who we can now call Father.
So, we also call it GOOD Friday because at the Cross every barrier has been removed caused by sin and shame, and furthermore we are clothed in the light of His goodness, free to live out his love in sharing it with others.
Finally, the Easter story does not finish on Friday but on the Sunday, we have recorded in the Bible that Jesus was raised from the dead! After that he ascended into heaven and now sits at God’s right hand. His position at God’s right hand indicates that the One who bore our sins is now free from bearing our sin and shame forever. The measure of his freedom is also the measure of the freedom of all those who look to him. From the position of where Jesus is now, we can look back on the Cross and celebrate the wonderful accomplishment of God’s love.
That is the final reason that Good Friday is called GOOD because without it there would be no resurrection and we would continue in a state of separation from others, our true selves and most of all God.
So, what about you? Are you running away from God because you think He is “out to get you.” This could not be further from the truth. Because of all Jesus accomplished on the Cross the only thing that God requires of you (no longs for you!) is to stop running and turn around and allow Him to embrace you and fill you with his love. (See the Prodigal Son in Luke Chapter 15)
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If you like you could pray this prayer:
Oh God. I have been running away from you for long enough. Please forgive me. In some way I must have a part to play in the crowd that shouted “Crucify him” even though it was a long time ago. In the best way I know how I reach out to you. Please accept me as I am and embrace me with your love. Help me to feel it. Help me to know it. Help me to live in it.
In Jesus name
Amen
Come and worship with us
Other services over the Easter period:
Maunday Thursday April 2nd at 7pm Holy Communion
Good Friday April 3rd at 10.00am "Hour at the Cross"
Other services are on our calendar