Good Friday…Seems a strange title for history’s darkest day.

The Righteous Judge condemned in a mock trial. Truth himself falsely accused. Love hated. The Savior rejected. The King stripped and despised.

Healer of the deaf heard “Crucify Him!” Creation’s Creator felt thorns on his brow. Hands that fed thousands took nails for those fed. Whips tore his flesh who created all flesh.

The Maker murdered by the work of his hands.

The Sinless One became sin, and the Father turned His back. All the shame and the pain, all the ugliness of hell taken by the Lamb who was slain.

Creation groaned as darkness seemed to extinguish the Light.

Sometimes good looks undeniably not good. But…

But – such a powerful word. It tells us there’s more to the story.

But darkness can never conquer Light.

But death cannot hold the Resurrection and the Life.

But grace is greater than all my sin.

Mercy triumphs over judgment. Forgiveness was purchased on Friday’s cruel cross.

Grace wins.

Good Friday is good because Sunday is coming. God has the final word. And all he does is good.

The cross was not an accident. Not a rescue plan gone awry. No kidnapped King. No victim of tragedy. No, the cross was the plan. From the creation of the world, this was God’s idea. He knew his beloved ones would rebel, and he knew the price he would pay for our redemption. He also knew death would not be the end.

So he willingly went to the cross. He poured out his love as He poured his blood. He paid the price for our sins–all of them, for every person who believes.

Then on Sunday morning he robbed death of its sting and the grave of its victory. With all the power that created life, he recreated life in his dead body. And he lives today, never to die again.

Because of the cross and the empty grave, this is our inheritance as followers of Jesus:

• Our sins are forgiven, and all the righteousness of Jesus is credited to us.
• We have peace with God. Closeness with our Creator is now possible.
• We are dead to our old life– completely new creations.
• Sin is no longer our master, and neither is the law.
• We never have to fear God’s wrath because Jesus took it all for us.
• We need not fear death.
• We have an enduring hope.
• A heavenly inheritance awaits.

This weekend, may the beauty of the cross and the love of our Savior captivate our hearts and minds. We are loved! We are treasured! We are redeemed!

What are your thoughts on “Good Friday”? How has the cross brought good to your life?