Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. Luke 23:13-15
The crucifixion of Christ was unjust (see verse above).
We have the privilege of being a part of a local assembly that loves times of fellowship. These people enjoy spiritual conversations and just downright good times together. As Good Friday approaches we look forward to the service and then a time of fellowship and food. The kids run around and play while the adults enjoy each other’s company.
When we were planning the fellowship, there was some discussion about the appropriateness of such a good time while remembering such a somber occasion.
My wise husband suggested that it is appropriate. We know the rest of the story, Jesus lives! Not only that, but because we are direct recipients of the grace Jesus offered when He laid down His life for us on that cross, His death is a gift to us. It is the death that paid for our sins (The wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23). Though we can’t celebrate the circumstances of His death, we can be joyful in the results of His death – salvation for those who believe (Romans 10:9).
While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). What’s bad about that? This is not a plan that you or I would have made, especially today. We don’t want anyone to be burdened or give up something for another, no less die for them. But God’s plan is good and Good Friday is good because it is the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation. We are not left in our sin because in His mercy, grace, and love for us our Good God was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.
It only looks at part of the verse to say that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. The whole of Romans 5:8 says this: but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
On Good Friday we recall the depth of the pain and anguish Jesus suffered in His human body so that we could be free of the penalty for our sin. Not only free from the penalty; God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to all who place their faith in Him and it’s as if we never sinned at all! It’s also good for us to look at the Author of the plan and worship Him on this day because of the goodness it shows towards us, His creation.
Though Christ’s death seems unjust from a human perspective, I am grateful for it.
So, what’s so good about Good Friday? It is the day that God clearly demonstrated His steadfast love for those who believe. He made the ultimate sacrifice to cover our sin when we believe that Good Friday was for our good because, “His death paid for our sin.” This, coupled with Christ’s resurrection give us plenty of reason to rejoice with one another as we worship our Risen, living, Savior!
What could be “gooder” than that?
