Why is it called "Good" Friday? That's the question I used to ask my mom occasionally as I was growing up. As best as I can recall, her response usually was: "Because that's when Jesus died". In my young, unchristian but deeply religious mind, my silent comeback was 'Wouldn't that make it "Black" Friday instead?' It seems clear to me now that my mom & I each had a part of the truth, but neither of us had the whole truth.
In my mom's case, she saw the reality the Jesus did in fact die. And, she knew that His dying was a divine necessity. Yet somehow she missed (or never probed) the question: "Why did He have to die?" Or, "Why is this death 'good'?"
For me, I saw the tragedy of it all. But, I was not able get beyond the loss: a great man, the God-man, is dead. The plan is ruined; mankind is left to itself. In a sense, my mindset was a lot like the disciples leading up to and following the betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. I didn't see the bigger picture, the bigger plan, that God was executing.
So, the question remains: Why Good Friday? I would submit it is good for at least 3 reasons.
1) Christ died so that we might live. (1 Cor 15:3; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:26; Rom 8:31-39) We each owe a debt to God that we can never pay. In fact, I'm fond of using the illustration of trying to make my mortgage payment with confederate money. Even $1 million in confederate money would not pay off the the debt I owe to the bank. It is simply not worth anything, although it is (or was) really money. Likewise, all the stuff we think we can do for God, to earn His favor or to pay Him back, has no value in reducing our debt to Him. It is simply and only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that covers our debt and covers it completely.
2) Christ died to create a people for himself. (1 Pet 2:9-10; Eph 2:19-22; 3:10-11; 5:25-27; Rev 7:9-12) The new life we have in Christ is not about millions of individuals running around worshiping God. Rather it is about Jesus creating for himself a new community, dedicated to God and each other. Even in the Trinity, there is the this bond of love. Our worship and our service, both today and for eternity, is done in the context of this new community.
3) Christ died to perfect all of creation. (Rom 8:19-23; 1 Cor 15:50-57; Eph 1:9-10; Rev 21-22) There is an cosmic battle raging around us. From shortly after God pronounced that His work was very good until the last battle has been won, this war surges on. And yet at the cross on "Good" Friday the pivotal battle was fought in this cosmic struggle. Like D-Day in World War II or Gettysburg in the Civil War, the decisive battle has been won. In either case, was the war over? No, and each opponent continued to fight and even win major victories (e.g. the Battle of the Bulge). Yet the tide had turned and victory was simply a matter of time. So it is with Christ. Jesus has triumphed! His children have been redeemed! His people have been established and one day soon, Satan and death itself will be eternally vanquished.
Today we can mourn and rejoice. Mourn for the sin that sent Jesus to the cross. Mourn for the pain, agony and spiritual separation Christ had to endure. Mourn for all who will go through another Good Friday and not know why it is so, so good. But also rejoice. Rejoice over the willing sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless, holy eternal Son of God. Rejoice over the sin payment Jesus made for each of us who believe, a payment we could never make. Rejoice over the love Jesus has for his Father that He would submit Himself to the Father's plan and purpose. And rejoice that now we are no longer aliens and strangers, but we are children of God and brothers and sisters with Christ.
SDG
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