“Good Friday? What’s Good about it?”

There are several reasons why this is a “Good Friday.” Isaiah says it is good because it was our sins that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, he was pierced for our sins, crushed, beaten, spit upon, and by his stripes we were healed!

The writer to the Hebrews says it is good because we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. He, (Jesus) became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

The apostle John says it is good because on that day he brought secret disciples out of the shadows. One of the major themes of John’s gospel is that Jesus is the light of the world and to follow him is to live in the day, not the night. In chapter 1, John says that the light came into the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it.

It is a “Good Friday” because for three people in our parishes, this is the last Friday that they will not be recognized as Christian. This will be the last Friday that they will be unbaptized. And for a fourth person in our parish, this is the last Friday that he and the other three will not be able to come and join us at the Table of the Lord and celebrate and share in the banquet of Christ’s love.

It is also a “Good Friday” because for all of us Jesus promised that He would send us His Spirit to be our advocate and our guide, but that could not happen until he first suffered, died, and rose from the dead. We all need that Spirit to guide us, to guard us and to heal us.

Yes, it is a “Good Friday!” Everything about this Friday is exceptionally good!!