>Let’s be honest, there is no denying it. We Christians are a bizarre, somewhat puzzling lot. We have this strange language (and I’m not talking about ’speaking in tongues’ here!) A faith that is based on a crucifixion, a death and a resurrection… And the day that we remember Jesus’ death on a cross – well, we call it “Good”.

Today we do remember a death, but we recall it with gladness and hope, because we are aware that without that act of sacrifice we would not have the reality of grace, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, freedom and eternal life.

There is much in our current society that tries to silence the message of the cross, but I have found that even in so-called godless, secular societies Christianity is still alive. The message of Jesus Christ may seem at times defeated, just like that day that Jesus was crucified, where mockers rose up, governments bowed to popular demand, and religious organisations pronounced unjust sentence upon an “innocent” man. Yet in that seeming defeat, victory was being won. Without the crucifixion, we would not have the resurrection!

It is a Good Friday because Jesus dying on the cross means he has identified with us in the pain and suffering that separation from Father God, because of our sin, causes us, his creation.

It is a Good Friday because through death, there is to be life.

It is a Good Friday because today I can be reminded of my frailty as a human being and can know there is someone who has been through this life, has suffered, and can bring me comfort.

It is a Good Friday because my sins can be forgiven, the barrieI can experience freedom from that which tempts and limits me.

It is Good, because it is a gift from God, by grace for our Salvation.

“At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “[Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?]” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“ Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see whether Elijah will come and save him.” Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus’ resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” 
(Matthew 27:45-54)

Related posts:

1. In Suffering and Joy
2. A Confession: I deny the resurrection
3. >God With Us