This week we will have a Good Friday service. I wonder, and perhaps you do too – How is it that we call the day Jesus was crucified, good? I mean I find it hard in my own life to imagine a day marked with sadness as a good day.
Since the early centuries of the church, the day was marked with sadness, mourning, fasting, and prayer. Christians were instructed that it was to be a “day of mourning, not a day of festive joy.” Ambrose said it should be a “day of bitterness on which we fast.” Historically, many church buildings were kept dark even by draping black cloth over the windows, and processions of Christians dressed in black would walk the stations of the cross along the Via Dolorosa.
What’s good about Good Friday?
Truly it is a sad day, yet that sadness is truly good. The sorrow of the day is godly sorrow. It is like the sorrow the Corinthians felt after they were disciplined by their beloved teacher, Paul, in the sharp letter we call First Corinthians. Hearing of their conviction of sin and repentance, Paul wrote back, “My joy was greater than ever.” Why? Because such godly sorrow “brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Cor. 7:10).
The commemoration of Christ's death on Good Friday reminds us of the human sin that caused this death. It enables us to see that salvation comes only through godly sorrow. The path to true happiness runs through the experiences of sorrow – shed tears turn to joy.
Good Friday also reminds us of God's love—“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). The goodness and grace of God revealed on a cross is certainly worth commemorating – it is good news – check that, it is great news! Perhaps we should start calling the day Great Friday!
In His Grip,
Phil
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