I recall asking my mother this question and I recall my two sons asking me that question at different stages in their lives. The “good” is not the death of Jesus nor how it tragically happened, but that it happened by plan of God; by the giving of Jesus and the love of them for all of us in the world who sin daily.

So, what is so good about the day in which Jesus gave his life for us? Well, everything really, as it is only from this death that we see on Sunday, now known as Easter Sunday, that Jesus was divine, was an essence or part of God, incarnate among us and the Messiah of us all. Jesus’ death leads to his resurrection and to our forgiveness of sins; no matter what particular theory of atonement you may believe in.

There are many names for this day, from Holy Friday, to God’s Friday (which many believe led to “Good Friday”), to Mourning Friday, Silent or Sorrowful Friday, and even Long Friday; as a friend from Denmark taught me in high school.

I share with you the words of the Prophet Isaiah which were written hundreds of years beforehand, but which give words that tell of Isaiah’s knowledge of the one who would suffer and suffer for us, not just himself. Hear the words of Isaiah 53:1-6 and for those of us who know the stories of the New Testament and of Jesus on that week of Passover when he was taken, tortured, died on a cross, then was placed by a rich man into the tomb, until he arose on Sunday.

Recently I found this link on the internet and I share it with you. https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v13-n06/whos-the-subject-of-isaiah-53-you-decide/

I was shocked to hear that many more Jewish people reportedly did not have any idea who it was in reference to. Even if they did not believe in Jesus as Messiah or know Jesus’ story, did they not wonder who it was about then? Did they not know the story of the Messiah they have been awaiting?
For Christians, the book of Acts refers to the words of Isaiah and especially to the 53rd chapter of this great book of the Tanach, or Old Testament. God had a plan, told his plan to people who wrote about it, even if they did not understand it or know all the details of what was to come. They prophesied such details that there is little doubt to Christians that this is about Jesus, the Christ, the Lord, the Messiah of us all. God knew and God designed as we could as humans, not even imagine, how God would care and love God’s creation; God’s children.

Today is a hard day if you watch a movie or read the words of how Jesus was treated and how he died. I cry every time I see it depicted. Yet, the story did not end there and that is the good news for you, me, and all other human beings that seek out God and the salvation which comes from these days’ of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Today is “Good Friday” to me because of the gift I get to realize today. It is a gift that I get the chance to be reminded of every year too; even if a hard one to see, hear, and deal with because of the amount of suffering endured by Jesus. A gift of this magnitude is a gift of the ages, a gift for forever, and a gift to shout about and celebrate! So, join me in celebrating on Easter Sunday, the day in which the Disciples realized, and now we realize, was the day of divine resurrection and the day which promised salvation became a reality we simply need to say thanks for as we bow to our gracious God.

These three scripture verses come to the minds of many today, so I share them with you. Trust in them as you come to God to trust, give thanks, and love our God back. Have a great Good Friday!

Philippians 2:8, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (NIV)

1 John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (NIV)

1 John 2:25, “And this is what he promised us — eternal life.” (NIV)
Amen!