Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, a Christian day commemorating Jesus’ execution and death on Calvary. It is honoured annually throughout Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, and Black Friday. The date of Good Friday, which is generally recognised as a legal holiday worldwide, varies from year to year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
Contents
Good Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar because it commemorates what we believe to be the most pivotal weekend in human history. Since Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians have preached the cross. Paul regarded it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, as God had promised in the Scriptures.
The Meaning of Good Friday
- According to accounts, the term Good Friday derives from the connotation ‘pious, holy’ of the word ‘good’. Until 1955, the Catholic Church used the Latin phrase “Feria sexta in Parasceve” (Friday of Preparation). When the new ritual was implemented in 1970, the word was abbreviated to Feria sexta in Passione Domini (Friday of the Passion of the Lord).
- Some Christian traditions follow this method; in German, for example, the day is known as Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” The origin of the term “Good” in English is debatable; some believe it evolved from an ancient moniker, “God’s Friday.”Regardless of its origin, the term Good Friday is fitting since Jesus’ suffering and death, no matter how horrible, signified the dramatic completion of God’s purpose to rescue his people from their sins.
- For the gospel’s good news to be meaningful to us, we must first grasp the bad news of our sinful situation. The wonderful news of deliverance only makes sense when we understand how we were enslaved. Another way of putting it is that it is critical to comprehend and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture.
- We need the law to show us how dismal our situation is before we may be comforted and saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Similarly, Good Friday is “good” because, as dreadful as that day was, we needed to have the pleasure of Easter. God’s anger against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the ideal sacrificial sacrifice before forgiveness and redemption could be poured out on the nations.
- Without that terrible day of anguish, grief, and blood on the cross, God could not be both “just and justifier” of all who believe in Jesus. Paradoxically, the day that appeared to be the greatest victory of evil was the final blow to God’s magnificently good plan to free the world from bondage. The cross represents the intersection of extreme suffering and God’s forgiveness. That occurred on Jesus’ crucifixion, where God’s demands, his righteousness, and his mercy converged.
- We obtain divine forgiveness, kindness, and peace because Jesus gladly accepted our divine punishment, which resulted from God’s righteousness against sin. On Good Friday, Jesus suffered the crucifixion knowing that it would result in his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.
- Good Friday was the day when anger and mercy united on the cross. That explains why good Friday is good and gloomy.
The History of Good Friday
- Good Friday originated when Jesus was captured by royal troops and sentenced to death by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on Friday, which is why the day is known as Good Friday. Many Christians across the world commemorate and lament Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.
- Aside from that, many Christians do services or charitable works on Good Friday since Jesus’ sacrifice is regarded as a selfless act of charity and love for others. According to the Bible, Judas, Jesus’ disciple and buddy, betrayed him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- He was seized and brought to the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, for an informal late-night gathering of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. They had planned to put Jesus on trial. They looked for proof to warrant His execution, but they couldn’t discover any.
- Finally, the high priest asked Jesus, “Tell us if you are the Messiah.” Then he said, “I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand and coming back on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest responded, “You have just heard His blasphemy! What’s your verdict?” They all yelled, “He deserves death!” Then they spit in Jesus’ face and began beating him. After he was condemned in their fake trial, they brought him to Pilate since they lacked the power to execute anybody under Roman law.
- They falsely accused Jesus of treason against the Roman Empire for claiming to be the ruler of the Jews and encouraging others not to pay taxes. Pilate, on the other hand, recognised Jesus was innocent of any wrongdoing; yet, the multitude demanded that He be executed. So he washed his hands of it and followed the crowd’s wishes.
- Crucifixion was the most barbaric method of execution at the time, reserved for criminals and slaves. Jesus, the son of God, was beaten and told to carry a cross on which he would die. After being nailed to the crucifixion, Jesus received a crown of thorns and the title “King of the Jews.” The cross was positioned between two other individuals who were being crucified that day.
- The soldiers nailed Jesus on the cross and let Him die. They mocked Jesus by placing a sign on the crucifixion. Jesus battled on the cross for six hours, and the Bible says that when he finally gave up his spirit, darkness descended over the earth.
- Then about midday, odd things started happening. The sky darkened for three hours, and Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” before dying. The temple curtain was inexplicably split in half from top to bottom, and there was a powerful earthquake. It was Friday afternoon, and the Sabbath would begin at sunset, but it was no ordinary Sabbath!
- It occurred during the Passover festival, making it a particularly memorable Passover. After Jesus’ body was removed from the crucifixion, it was wrapped in fabric strips and placed in a tomb. Roman soldiers were stationed at the tomb to ensure that no one stole the body or spread rumours that He was not dead. Finally, three days later, Jesus resurrected from the dead, defeating death.
Significance of Good Friday
- Jesus went to great lengths to ensure that every one of us becomes heirs of paradise. He became the bridge when there wasn’t one. Good Friday is celebrated because we all know the darkness inside ourselves. We are aware of the sins we have done, and we understand how dark our acts and thoughts may be. When we reflect on the things that have stained our hands, we know deep down that the crimes we have done are deserving of retribution.
- Especially when we recognise God’s righteous norms. The challenge for us is that living for God involves sinless perfection, which none of us possess. Not one, until Jesus came and took our place on that long-ago Friday. That is why we need a Saviour, whom Scripture identifies as Jesus Christ. We need a Saviour since we can’t rescue ourselves. We need a Saviour because we are without Christ.
- Even though the Bible does not say we should celebrate Good Friday, we do since it is a good day for humanity! God revealed his love for us via Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. This year, on March 29, FridayGoodd Friday will be observed; regardless of how you choose to commemorate it, understanding the narrative of Good Friday leads our hearts to cry out to God in humility and appreciation. It is a holy day that purifies and sanctifies us since God was pulling the world to Himself via Christ.
Conclusion
It is thought that God loved the world so much that he sacrificed his own son’s life for the sins of all people. He gave his life to atone for the sins of those who trusted Jesus Christ. This day is observed as a day of grief and sorrow, with people commemorating Jesus’ sacrifice to save humanity from the shadows of their sins. People abstain from eating meals to commemorate the day of sadness. It is also suggested not to greet someone with “Happy Good Friday,” as it is a sorrowful day for the Christian community.
