Good Friday

I once asked my mother why we call the day which commemorates the death of Jesus 'Good Friday'. How could a day of indignity and torture, culminating in the death of Jesus, possibly be called 'good'?

"It is good because Jesus died for us. It is good because by His death, we are saved," she replied.

My child's mind had to ponder this perplexing
definition of good.

This good is not the kind of good expressed through laughter or silliness or wild celebration. We don't set off fireworks or have pool parties.


I ponder the words of Isaiah 53:4-5, applying them personally:

Surely, You have borne my griefs and carried my sorrows...
You were wounded for my transgressions;
You were crushed for my iniquities;
Upon You was the chastisement that brought me peace,
And with Your stripes I am healed.

And here is the difficult truth, the good in Good Friday. By His stripes, we are healed. 

May you rest in the knowledge of God's inexplicable love on this Good Friday.