When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. JOHN 19:30 (NLT)

_____________________________________________________________________________

Why do we call Good Friday good? 

How can anything so horrifying ever be considered good?

When we look at the crown of thorns, the old rugged cross, the nails, and the blood, there is nothing good there. 

When we see the man of sorrows abandoned by almost all of his friends, there is nothing good there.

When we see his adversaries delighting in his exposed demise, there is nothing good there.

When we see soldiers gamble for his clothes, there is nothing good there.

When we see people mock him in his misery, there is nothing good there.

When we see people settle in to cheer his last breath, there is nothing good there.

If we listen, however, we hear something different, something wonderful, something good. 

If we listen, we hear words of truth and life, famous last words, words that will bear hope to the very end of the age.

If we listen, we hear words of purpose, meaning, intentionality, destiny.

If we listen, we hear good news.

Why do we call Good Friday good?

“Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing,”(Luke 23:34).

He chose to suffer and die so that we can experience forgiveness from the penalty of our sins. Our sin placed him on that cross. He did nothing deserving death. 

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise,” (Luke 23:43). 

He chose to lay down his life for us so that we could be with him forever in that place where there is no more sorrow, no more suffering, no more separation, and no more tears. 

“Woman, here is your son,” . . . “Here is your mother,” (John 19:26. 27).

He chose shoulders to cry on for his mother and dear friend. 

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matt. 27:46).

He chose words of a poem which begins with sorrow and ends in praise, a poem every child’s mother sang to her sleepy children.

“I’m thirsty,” (John 19:28).

He chose a bitter beverage so that he could say the word which would finish the work he came to do.

“It is finished!” (John 19:30).

He chose the word of ultimate release and shouted it so that it reverberates to this day, and until the day a louder shout cascades into eternity.

“Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit,” (Luke 23:46).

He chose to lay down his head in death’s silent slumber. 

That is why we call Good Friday good. 

Jesus chose to suffer and die to settle our accounts, to provide for our salvation, to rescue us from death and the grave, to deliver us saved and secure to Our Father in heaven. 

That is why we call Good Friday good.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I will contemplate the words he spoke in the dark to bring us the light of life.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Our Father, how can I not weep as I contemplate this day?
How can I not grieve that it had to happen this way? 
How can I bear the burden of my shame? 
How can I dare whisper your name?