What's So Good About Good Friday?

The name “Good Friday” can be confusing. What could be so “good” about a day filled with such sin, suffering, injustice, sorrow, rejection, and death?

On Thursday night and Friday of Holy Week, Jesus Christ was overwhelmed with sorrow in the garden, betrayed by Judas, abandoned by His closest followers, arrested illegally, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, humiliated, condemned. He suffered an excruciating and shameful death for sins he did not commit. It was a horrible day for Jesus. The worst possible day. 

Ironically, that is why we call it “Good Friday”. 

This was not random. It was substitution. This was not an accident. It was God’s plan to do good to sinners who deserve eternal suffering. 

As Isaiah foretold in chapter 53:

• He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. 

• He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows

• He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. 

• Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 

• By His wounds we are healed. 

• The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

This is the great exchange at the heart of the gospel. Jesus received all the bad we deserve—judgment, shame, condemnation, wrath, the death penalty—so that through faith we can receive all the good that He deserves—righteousness, vindication, forgiveness, sonship, resurrection, and life with God forever. He suffered, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. He was treated like a sinner so that we could be welcomed as God’s children. 

That’s what makes Good Friday so good.

But, Good Friday wouldn’t be good without Easter Sunday. 

Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” There are people you and I know that need to hear and know all the good that can be theirs in Christ Jesus. 

Who will you invite to church this Easter to meet the One who died and rose again for their justification? 

In Christ,

Chad Kettler

Lewisville Campus Pastor