Good?!?!? Friday?

Last week there was a controversy last week in Davenport, Iowa over a memo that went out saying the city offices would be closed today for "Spring Holiday." A number of people protested the name change from "Good Friday" to "Spring Holiday." Rumors even arose that there was a vote by the city council to make the change.

How in the world did the day of Christ’s death ever come to be called “Good Friday?” I don’t know the answer to that question, but perhaps it had something to do with this prophecy from the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas.

Many, many Christians have wondered why we call this day Good Friday. They really don’t understand. How could the day of Christ's death be considered good? In a similar way, Caiaphas did not understand what he was saying when he said “it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (John 11:50) He thought that by killing Jesus he was getting rid of a rabble rouser who would make trouble with Rome for the whole nation of Israel. But it was God who caused him to speak those words.

God didn’t want his chosen people Israel to die, so instead he sacrificed his own Son in their place. And Jesus’ death was not just for Israel, but for the whole world! Jesus himself predicted it in John 12:32-33: "'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die."

That’s what makes this a Good Friday. It is good that Jesus died! If not, you and I would have to die eternally, separated forever from a holy God because of our sins. But because his death paid the penalty for our sins, we are forgiven. As a result, through faith in Jesus Christ we can live eternally with God in heaven.

Nowadays there are even more people who have no idea why this day is called Good Friday. Christ died for them too. So if you get the chance today, tell someone why you think this Friday is especially good. It’s as simple as saying, “Today, Jesus died for me — and you.”