What is so good about Good Friday?

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

It is a theological irony that we call Good Friday “good.” What Jesus subjected Himself to while on the cross was anything but '“good.” But it was for good. I was for our good because it is by His death on the cross that He saved His people. It was for the Father’s glory which is supremely good.

This lesson has practical ramifications for the Christian life. Many things that we experience in our lives are unpleasant and not so good in the short run. But isn’t it true that our suffering is commonly the pathway to spiritual growth and maturity? (James 1:2-4 “count it all joy…).

God’s Word encourages us (Romans 8:28) that “all things work together for good…” That is not a promise of freedom from all pain and sorrow! Quite the contrary. It promises us that all things (even those we don’t think of as good), are being worked together by God to bring about good.

Back to “Good Friday.” That Friday was in so many ways excruciatingly bad. That Saturday was a day of hopelessness, despair, and confusion—not knowing what was ahead the next morning.

Then there is Resurrection Sunday. The greatest of great days! Resurrection Sunday could not have happened if it were not for the pain, sorrow, and despair of Good Friday.

I pray that thinking about that will make your celebration of Resurrection Sunday that much more joyous!…