Why is this Friday called Good? Good for whom?
The Road to the Cross stopped here. The sky was dark. The temple curtain was torn in two. The earth quaked. Jesus died.
“Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died.51 At once the curtain in the house of God was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks fell apart.” Matthew 27:50-51 NLV
Certainly, it wasn’t good for Jesus disciples and followers. They were crushed and brokenhearted by the events which had just taken place.
Good for Mary? She saw her Son brutally killed. No, it wasn’t good.
“When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said, ‘Jesus must really have been a good man!’ 48 A crowd had gathered to see the terrible sight. Then after they had seen it, they felt brokenhearted and went home. 49 All of Jesus’ close friends and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.” Luke 223:47-49 CEV
“Jesus’ mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, “This man is now your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is now your mother.” From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.” John 19:25-27 CEV
The devil probably thought it was a good day. The religious leaders and their council thought it was a good day.
“What we preach is God’s wisdom. It was a secret until now. God planned for us to have this honor before the world began. 8 None of the world leaders understood this wisdom. If they had, they would not have put Christ up on a cross to die. He is the Lord of shining-greatness.” I Corinthians 2:7-8 NLV
For the thief hanging on the cross beside Jesus it was a good day. For each one of us, it was a good day!
“ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
For God, the Father, it was good and for Jesus, it was finished!
“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 CEV
“After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died.” John 19:30 CEV
“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 ERV
As I’m concluding this writing the words of an old hymn are bubbling up from my soul. Written in 1707, this song tells my story “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross”.
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Yes, Good Friday! The day the road ended at the cross.