What’s so Good about Good Friday?

Spring is in the air and we can’t wait to dive right in. The grass is starting to hint at it’s natural color. Robins are back searching the thawing earth for sustenance. The air seems lighter, the days are definitely lighter, and our moods, almost broken by the long winter, have begun to lighten as well. The awakening of the earth does amazing things to awaken ourselves again.

The earthly awakening coincides with spiritual awakening as well. Easter falls near the beginning of spring. It’s the perfect time to don new clothes, pet cute little chick and bunnies, celebrate the new season and rebirth. Pastel colors everywhere reflecting how soft and sweet everything is.

Somehow, some time along the way we have allowed the pastel colors of spring to mute out the colors that really symbolize this season, and this Good Friday in particular:

• Drab brown: the color of the crown of thorns worn as humiliation. The color of the cross built as an ancient torture device.
• Royal purple: the color of the robe the soldiers placed on a man they were also spitting on.
• Crimson red: the color of the blood that was shed from the body drained of all life.
• Muted gray: the color of the tomb where that dead body was buried. The color of the stone rolled in front of the entrance.

This is what Good Friday is all about! What’s so good about torturing a man until he’s unrecognizable? About humiliating him in front of everyone who had days before lauded him? About forcing him to carry his death device after he’d been beaten almost to death? About nailing nails through his body to hold him onto the cross? About watching an innocent man die while shouting insults at him and dividing up the only clothes he had left?

The Good is something only a heart Spiritually awakened can understand. This innocent Man chose to die on this day, the day we now call Good Friday, so that we would not have to face the same death He did. His physical death we will taste (except for those alive at His return). His spiritual death, we do not have to face. God had to turn His face away from Jesus (Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?) because He became our sin. He took the shame and punishment of our sin and had God turn away from Him for the very first time in His life. This was what He dreaded and prayed for God to take away from Him in the garden. But yet. He. still. did. it. He took the total wrath of God so you and I would never have to face that.

• Pure white: The robes we now wear in heaven having been cleansed by that crimson red.
• Royal purple: The robe the soldiers forced Jesus to wear is the only color fitting for the Savior of the world and the King.

One thing must have gotten Jesus through this ordeal. Knowing that He would soon be reunited with the Father in Heaven. He would not face that wrath for eternity. He knew on the third day He would rise again. Amen and hallelujah!

It is called Good Friday because of that sacrifice. Oh Good God, thank You so much for that sacrifice, that we may be able to call the worst day in the history of man GOOD.

IN CHRIST ALONE

here sung by Natalie Grant

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Til he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music