Good Friday?

By Daniel Rollins

I, along with millions of other Christians around the world, celebrated the death of Jesus Christ this morning. We celebrated that around 2000 years ago Jesus, an innocent man, was subject to one of the cruellest and most painful deaths the Romans (who were experts in the field of painful killings) could inflict on only the worst criminals.

Why then do we call it “Good” Friday?

Surly the agonizing death of an innocent man who Christians believe came to save the world is not something that should be celebrated as good? The reason we celebrate this lies in what Jesus showed us as he died on the cross, God’s love.

People sacrifice many things for love, whether it is sacrificing some sleep to make your mum breakfast in bed, or moving to another country to marry someone, love involves giving stuff up. Some people even give up their loves for people they love, parents die to protect their children (example from popular culture: Lily Potter), men let women and children onto lifeboats before themselves (think Titanic) and soldiers sadly die to defend their family and friends back home. Jesus also died to save us; he took our punishment for us and freed us from the jaws of death all because of his incredible love for humanity.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16

However what is particularly special about the love Jesus showed on the cross was that it was completely unconditional. It was for all the people who had spat on him, were killing him and reject him still today. On the cross he demonstrated the greatest love the world has ever experience by dying not only for people who loved him but for people who despised and hated him.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 6-8

That is why Christians call this day Good Friday the love that Jesus showed on the cross means that we no longer have to live in fear of death. Though it is was a terrible day of suffering for Jesus it is a wonderful day for all who believe that Jesus has saved them as it has given us hope and a future through God’s great love!

So remember when you are eating your Easter eggs that Jesus died to free us and that we can smile because Jesus loves us!

God Bless and Happy Easter!