The Christian Journeyman
Pastor Gary Patterson
THE GOOD OF GOOD FRIDAY
This question has been asked many times: "If this is the worst thing that could have ever happened in the history of man-kind, on this horrible Friday, why do we call it "Good Friday?" "What was so "good" about it?"
A devotion from "Our Daily Bread" of The Radio Bible Class, outlines seven sayings from the cross. In looking at these seven sayings, we should be able to see the "Good" that Jesus accomplished on the cross.
1. Forgiveness. "Then Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34) "How do we get past the nails, and forgive those who hurt us? Jesus did! He displayed God's forgiveness for our sins, in His sacrificial death, as atonement for our sin debt.
2. Redemption. "And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The thief on the cross who believed, and submitted his future to Jesus, was saved. The same promise is for us who believe, and accept Jesus as Savior.
3. Compassion. "When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household." (John 19:26-27)
As Jesus had compassion for His mother, making sure that her future well-being was taken care of. In essence, on the cross, He did the same for us, and whoever submits their lives to Him, in faith.
4. Abandonment. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) Jesus did the most challenging thing in this whole sacrificial experience. He took on Himself the guilt and depth of sin, of this lost world, before a holy, and righteous God.
5. Readiness. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)
I have seen people in my pastoral ministry prepare for death. Jesus knew that what He came to do for man-kind was in moments, to be accomplished, according to God's Word.
6. Fulfillment. "Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30) Jesus, after receiving the sour wine, gave up His spirit. He had accomplished what He came here to this world to do. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
7. Release. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:46) Jesus' life, His ministry, the endurance of the cross, to pay for the sins of the world, came to and end. As the hymn says so plainly, but boldly: "Jesus, Paid It All" And we are blessed abundantly, and eternally, because He did.
These seven sayings from the cross reveal the " good" that came about for us, in the midst of this horrible experience for Jesus. How extremely grateful we should be!
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