I was chatting with a friend of mine last week. Jacques is French, and we were discussing the different names of the spring Christian holy days. What we call Good Friday in English is called “Vendredi saint” in French, which means Holy Friday.
The words “good” and “holy” are not mutually exclusive, but they’re not the same either. I certainly love a good piece of pumpkin pie, but I wouldn’t call it holy. The word “holy” makes the day sound churchy, but what does the word “good” have to do with the day?
Good Friday is good because it shows us that God knows what suffering is like. No matter your hurt or your loss or the physical pain you endure, God understands. There was the agony of the physical pain, to be sure, but there was the undeserved guilt heaped on His shoulders as well. All the shame of all the sins of all the people of all the ages, laid upon the perfect Jesus. God knows whatever sorrow or hurt that you feel.
Good Friday is good because sins were dealt with there. I believe that God’s anger toward sin was poured out in full on Jesus that day, and that was enough to do the job. God is not dealing with you or me or anyone else in the world based on our sins. We go through difficult times, but not because God is punishing us.
Good Friday is good because it displayed God’s heart of forgiveness. Jesus asked that God would forgive around Him, because they didn’t know what they were doing. We are forgiven not because we deserve it, or because we are so good, but because God is good. We often picture God as angry and spiteful, holding grudges against us. But He rejoices in forgiveness!
Good Friday is good because it shows that the Christian faith is way more inclusive than exclusive. It’s not about how good you are, or how long you’ve been good. The criminal next to Jesus was promised eternal life, and not because he’d had any time to do a bunch of good deeds.
Good Friday is good because it displays the natural order of things. A seed has to be buried in order to produce new life. The grave was not the end of Jesus, nor is it for us. Jesus’ death provides salvation; His resurrection provides hope, and proof of eternal life.
Good Friday is good, even great. So is Resurrection Day. Let’s celebrate these two days everyday!
The words “good” and “holy” are not mutually exclusive, but they’re not the same either. I certainly love a good piece of pumpkin pie, but I wouldn’t call it holy. The word “holy” makes the day sound churchy, but what does the word “good” have to do with the day?
Good Friday is good because it shows us that God knows what suffering is like. No matter your hurt or your loss or the physical pain you endure, God understands. There was the agony of the physical pain, to be sure, but there was the undeserved guilt heaped on His shoulders as well. All the shame of all the sins of all the people of all the ages, laid upon the perfect Jesus. God knows whatever sorrow or hurt that you feel.
Good Friday is good because sins were dealt with there. I believe that God’s anger toward sin was poured out in full on Jesus that day, and that was enough to do the job. God is not dealing with you or me or anyone else in the world based on our sins. We go through difficult times, but not because God is punishing us.
Good Friday is good because it displayed God’s heart of forgiveness. Jesus asked that God would forgive around Him, because they didn’t know what they were doing. We are forgiven not because we deserve it, or because we are so good, but because God is good. We often picture God as angry and spiteful, holding grudges against us. But He rejoices in forgiveness!
Good Friday is good because it shows that the Christian faith is way more inclusive than exclusive. It’s not about how good you are, or how long you’ve been good. The criminal next to Jesus was promised eternal life, and not because he’d had any time to do a bunch of good deeds.
Good Friday is good because it displays the natural order of things. A seed has to be buried in order to produce new life. The grave was not the end of Jesus, nor is it for us. Jesus’ death provides salvation; His resurrection provides hope, and proof of eternal life.
Good Friday is good, even great. So is Resurrection Day. Let’s celebrate these two days everyday!