By Pastor Randy Royston
Charlotte New Hope Community Church
On Good Friday April 19, Christians commemorate the day on which the Son of God made man was humiliated, stripped, tortured, and, finally murdered on a cross. Why is it called “Good” Friday? What “good” could there be in calling to mind that horrific day?
I did not grow up in a home that attended church. Not even on Easter or Christmas. When I became a teenager, I noticed some of my friends at school had a smudge mark on their forehead. They told me that this was for Ash Wednesday. Which I had no clue what that meant. There was talk about Good Friday and how some work places would be closed and there would be no school. From what I understood this was some kind of remembrance of the day they crucified Jesus Christ.
This was really confusing to me. I thought Jesus was suppose to be this great guy but these Christians are calling the day Jesus was killed “Good” Friday. I had no idea why the day where Jesus was whipped, beaten and nailed to a cross where he died was called “Good”.
It would be years later before I had the total story. In this sense the word “Good” is really an old expression and would be better understood if we used the word “Holy”. Some churches will call this day “Holy Friday”. It is a day like no other day. It is truly a set apart, God ordained day.
On this “Good” day, this “Holy” day, this God ordained day, God who became flesh as Jesus Christ took the guilt, the shame, the penalty for our sins upon himself. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This crucifixion day followed by resurrection Sunday is the focal point of the Christian message. Man is a sinner who needs a Savior. Jesus stepped in and took our sins upon himself. He suffered, died and rose again on the third day to show the world that he truly was God and had power over death and the grave. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
If the weight, the shame, the guilt of sin is still a part of your life you can be set free. Call out to God and admit you have sinned and need His forgiveness. Accept by faith that Jesus died and rose again to be your Savior and Lord. Discover for yourself how “Good”, Good Friday can really be.
Charlotte New Hope Community Church
On Good Friday April 19, Christians commemorate the day on which the Son of God made man was humiliated, stripped, tortured, and, finally murdered on a cross. Why is it called “Good” Friday? What “good” could there be in calling to mind that horrific day?
I did not grow up in a home that attended church. Not even on Easter or Christmas. When I became a teenager, I noticed some of my friends at school had a smudge mark on their forehead. They told me that this was for Ash Wednesday. Which I had no clue what that meant. There was talk about Good Friday and how some work places would be closed and there would be no school. From what I understood this was some kind of remembrance of the day they crucified Jesus Christ.
This was really confusing to me. I thought Jesus was suppose to be this great guy but these Christians are calling the day Jesus was killed “Good” Friday. I had no idea why the day where Jesus was whipped, beaten and nailed to a cross where he died was called “Good”.
It would be years later before I had the total story. In this sense the word “Good” is really an old expression and would be better understood if we used the word “Holy”. Some churches will call this day “Holy Friday”. It is a day like no other day. It is truly a set apart, God ordained day.
On this “Good” day, this “Holy” day, this God ordained day, God who became flesh as Jesus Christ took the guilt, the shame, the penalty for our sins upon himself. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This crucifixion day followed by resurrection Sunday is the focal point of the Christian message. Man is a sinner who needs a Savior. Jesus stepped in and took our sins upon himself. He suffered, died and rose again on the third day to show the world that he truly was God and had power over death and the grave. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
If the weight, the shame, the guilt of sin is still a part of your life you can be set free. Call out to God and admit you have sinned and need His forgiveness. Accept by faith that Jesus died and rose again to be your Savior and Lord. Discover for yourself how “Good”, Good Friday can really be.