My birthday is coming up soon, which led me to look and see what day of the week it would fall on this year. So, I looked it up and it will fall on Good Friday this year. This led me to some other thoughts, like what Good Friday stands for and why is it referred to as Good Friday. I immediately did something I am known for and “googled it”, because if I do not know something, that is where I will begin.
First, I decided to see what the word “good” means according to the dictionary. I found four definitions including: “to be desired or approved of”, “having the qualities required for a particular role” (adjectives). Also, “that which is morally right”, “benefit or advantage to someone or something” (noun). (Oxford Dictionary). Now I am clear on what the word truly mean, so I continue. I also look up the dictionary meaning of Good Friday, which is, “the Friday before Easter Sunday, on which the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is commemorated in the Christian Church. It is traditionally a day of fasting and penance”. (Oxford Dictionary).
Second, I found articles to read on the subject. The articles talk about how Good Friday is a crucial day when we celebrate the most momentous weekend. A weekend that began with Jesus dying a cruel death on the Cross. So, how can we call this day Good Friday if it is the day Jesus died on the Cross? I learned in Germany, the day is called “Sorrowful Friday”. Why don’t we call the day sorrowful if it marks the time Jesus was dying?
Third, I listened to a couple of sermons on the subject. They all mentioned what I had in the back of my mind as the answer. The answer is yes Jesus died and that was horrible, but the reason He died was good! He willingly went on a Cross to take away the sins of the WHOLE WORLD! Not one of us, everyone of us. How can that not be good? I don’t know about you, but I am a horrible sinner. A horrible sinner who needed a Savior! The fact that Jesus died that day and took away my sins, asking nothing in return, except that we accept Him into our hearts and ask Him to take away all the wrong we have done, is well, Good! Really Good! John 12:46 says, “I have come as a light in the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness”. (New American Standard Version). Jesus walks us out of the darkness, into His shining light.
I also learned from reading up on this subject, that this day should be celebrated with fasting and prayer. Most of us go to work on this day, just like any other day. I know I am guilty of going to work and not taking time to stop and celebrate that Jesus would willingly do such a sacrificial thing for me. Something no one else has ever done for me, die. This led me to think what can I do from now on when this day comes around? Well, this year I will not be working due to the mandates to stay home. So this year I can start a new tradition for myself and take this day to celebrate what a wonderful Savior has done for me, when He gave up His life for mine. I think of a song the choir sings, the words go something like this…His life for mine, His life for mine, How could it ever be?, That He would die, God’s Son would die, to save a wretch like me?, What love divine, He gave His life for mine….(Songwriter, Rebecca J. Peck).
So, this year I am gonna celebrate what Jesus did for all of us that day and I am gonna remember that Easter Monday is coming! What if all that is happening in this world is to get our attention off work, projects and other people and get our attention on God? It is something to think about…
Digging Deeper 