Why Is It Called Good Friday?

I wrote this article a few years ago, but want to share it with you again.  Hope it is encouraging!

The death of Christ on Good Friday and the resurrection of Christ on Easter morning go hand-in-hand.  You can’t have the resurrection without Jesus’ death.  The resurrection pre-supposes death.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Christ didn’t just merely die; He endured a miserable death on the cross with all of mankind’s sin poured on Him.  God poured out judgment for all of our sins onto Christ.

You see, all sin (even a tiny sin) must pay the penalty of death.  Not only did He endure the cross, He despised the shame of being crucified with other criminals.

You may wonder, “why did He suffer so much for me?”  The author of Hebrews tells us that the reason He endured this horrible death is a future joy.  That’s the first reason today is “good” Friday.

Christ was not conquered by death, instead He joyfully conquered death Himself.  Since He overcame death He is alive today with the Father in heaven.  True joy . . . being in heaven with God Himself.

Another type of joy that Christ knew would come after the cross is a future reward.  The Father rewarded Christ for His obedience and suffering. Another reason today is “good” Friday.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8-11

Since Christ obeyed the Father and overcame death, the Father honored and exalted Him.  All mankind will one day bow to Jesus as King of the world.  He is Lord now and forever!

As I think about this season of celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection I am reminded how hopeless I would be without Him.

• Without Christ’s death, there can be no resurrection.
• Without Christ’s death, there is no salvation for man.
• Without Christ’s death, there is no freedom from sin.
• Without Christ’s death, I have no Savior.
• Without Christ’s death, there is no redemption for my sin.
• Without Christ’s death, there is no salvation for anyone.

But remember Christ’s death and resurrection go hand-in-hand.

• Without the resurrection, there is no hope.
• Without the resurrection, there will be no eternal life for you & me.
• Without the resurrection, there is no glory for God.
• Without the resurrection, there is no joy.
• Without the resurrection, there is no future reward.

Christianity is the only religion that has power over death.

Christ is the only one who has ever risen from the dead and lives today.  More reasons today is “good” Friday.

He died on the cross so you would not have to die for YOUR sin.

If you have never believed that Christ died and suffered for you, I urge you to do so today.  Once you believe, you can join other Christians in their hope.  Not just a wishful hope, but a full expectation of joyfully living with Christ forever.

While my kids were growing up, we read specific Scripture during Passion Week. If you’d like our list of Easter Bible verses to read each day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, just enter your email below. We’ll send it automatically to you.

ps. I hope this helped answer the question, “Why is it called Good Friday?”.

Question: Why do you call it Good Friday?  You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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