Today, as this episode of the podcast is being release, it is Good Friday. It’s the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus for our sins. But the question often arises: Why is it called Good Friday?
What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good. The suffering he endured was not good. The crown of thorns was not good. Execution by crucifixion was not good.
However, the results of Christ’s death are very good! Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
We should be continually aware of how important the cross is to our lives. Every single day we should give thanks for Jesus sacrifice on the cross. If it wasn’t for the cross, today you wouldn’t know God, you wouldn’t have forgiveness of sins, you would be lost, you would have no hope of eternal life, you would have no peace?
Today is a day to reflect, to remember, to recognize, to worship, and to give thanks for all Jesus did for us on the cross.
So let me remind you of what happened today, some 2,000 years ago.
History tells us a lot. Crucifixion is a method of execution that began with the Persians some 500 years before the birth of Jesus. And in the days of Jesus, it was the Romans that had perfected it. And the practice of crucifixion continued in the Roman Empire until the emperor Constantine, who we believe became a Christian, put an end to it.
Crucifixion – It is one of the worst means of execution ever invented. Today if a person receives capital punishment the methods used are designed for a quick death. But crucifixion was specifically designed a slow method of death. It was agonizing. Sometimes the Romans would leave a person on a cross until their bloated body actually fell off the cross and onto the ground.
What we know from those who have studied this from a biological standpoint is that crucifixion is slow painful death by asphyxiation. A man after he had been beaten unmercifully, perhaps even with a cat of nine tails, like Jesus was, would be hung on a cross, and his lungs would cease to fill with air, and he would very slowly and very painfully begin to die by asphyxiation.
This was done publicly. This was not done in obscurity. This was done in open public areas where crowds of people gathered. This was to shame you as much as possible and to publicly humiliate your family. This was more than just a death sentence. This was the stripping of all dignity. This enabled people to spit on you, to curse at you, to throw things at you, to mock you, to make fun of you, as you were crucified naked.
This is what happened to God. Of all the great sermons Jesus preached, of all the great miracles he did, of all the great healings he performed, the symbol of our faith is the cross.
I want us to remember that Jesus was a volunteer not a victim. He knew what needed to happen and He willing suffered and laid down His life so that we could experience true life and freedom in Him.
Because of the cross, sin no longer has power over us. Evil has no power over us. Sickness has no power over us. The world has no power over us. The cross of Jesus won our victory and our future is secure.
On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” The debt was paid, the work was accomplished, and the sacrifice was completed. The sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to pay for the sins of every person who has ever lived, past, present, and future. This is why good Friday is a really good day.
Today’s Challenge: Spend some time today reflecting on the cross and what it means for your faith. Give God thanks and worship for the incredible gift of salvation that was purchased at the cross.
