Day 45 – What’s So Good About Friday?

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 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. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 

– Matthew 27:50-54 (NLT)

In one of history’s most profound moments, an innocent man endured a brutal, criminal’s death. Hope crumbled, and a mother wept at the foot of the cross.

It doesn’t sound like a good day, does it?

It seems anything but good. Yet, we call today Good Friday—a day to reflect on an unimaginable sacrifice that transformed a day of suffering into a day of triumph.

 What’s so good about Friday?

Every lash of the whip, every insult hurled, every drop of blood spilled—all of it worked to restore us to the Father. In the breaking of Jesus’ body, sin was shattered. In His captivity, freedom was forged. When hope seemed defeated, hope eternal emerged.

In what looked like the darkest moment, victory shone through. Death was conquered, grace prevailed, and salvation became ours.

That is why Friday is good.

When Jesus died, the veil in the Temple tore from top to bottom, ending the separation between us and God. His death marked the fulfillment of the Law and the start of a new covenant. No longer would humanity strive to meet the impossible demands of the old ways. Instead, Jesus established a way for us to walk in grace and freedom.

As Hebrews 10:1 says, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” (NIV)

Jesus took our sin, bore the blame, and cancelled the unpayable debt that hung over us. Through His sacrifice, we are made holy:

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. – Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)

Once for all.

For the broken. For the weary. For the lost. For the outcast. For each of us.

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

That’s what makes today good. That’s why we call it Good Friday.

Amen.

You can access all of the Reflection and Awe: Lent’s Purpose series here.

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