Jesus Sacrifice Makes Today Good

It seems strange to call this day “good.” After all, on this day, Jesus, our Savior and Lord, was tortured, beaten, spit upon, and brutally crucified on a cross. What is good about that? Actually, the goodness of this day is extensive and amazing. At the cross, God’s plan to redeem the world came to full fruition. Rather than ignore our sin, pretend it away, or eternally turn away from us, God became one of us, and in an act of pure self-sacrifice and love, Jesus willingly suffered the worst. For you. For me. For the world. Ours is not a God who says to us, “If you obey Me well enough, then I might love you.” Our God says to us at the outset, “I love you. I willingly gave My life for yours. If you want to see the extent of My love, look to the cross. Let My love draw you to hear and obey Me.” So today’s service is not a funeral for Jesus. It is a way to remember the events of Jesus’ death—including the allusions to it already in the Old Testament. It is an occasion for us to be drawn closer in love to the God who loves us unconditionally. It is an occasion to weep over our sin that made the crucifixion of Jesus necessary. It is an occasion to rejoice in the forgiveness and peace that comes from putting our faith in our crucified Lord. It is an occasion to marvel at the breadth, height, and depth of God’s love for us. Yes, it is Good Friday.