The Good in Good Friday

My brother grew up attending and active in the Catholic Church. He told me once of a good Friday service in which the priest came to the pulpit, announced, “Jesus Christ is dead”, and went home.

How sad. It is true Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus on the cross, but, it is

Good Friday not Sad Friday. 

Good Friday not Black Friday.

Good Friday not Gloomy Friday.

Yes Jesus Christ died, but he ain't dead!

What makes it Good Friday is why Jesus died. Many years ago, I heard Derek Prince teach on The Exchanges at the Cross:

"At the cross Jesus made an exchange for us . . .

All the evil due to us came on Him ---- All the good due to Him came on us."

This is good news! We remember this every time we observe the Lord’s Supper. Yes, Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried; but we cannot think of this without recalling the rest of the story – he rose again on the third day. To quote a popular song from 1983

On Friday night, they crucified the Lord at calvary,
But he said, "Don't dread, in three days I’m gonna live again, you'll see!"
When problems try to bury you, make it hard to pray,
It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way!

(Sunday's on the Way, Carman Licciardello)

Amen! Hallelujah!

It is Good Friday because

All the evil due to us came on Him ---- All the good due to Him came on us.


Here's another thought provoking song, this one by Randy Matthews from 1972, Didn't He

That's the good in Good Friday!