GOOD FRIDAY occurs the Friday before Easter Sunday and reflects upon the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It can be called as such because God was in control at Calvary and what he accomplished for us is good. Yes, God was in control on the cross. He designed for the crucifixion events to take place steering the course from the beginning.
This “good” day is filled with horrendous events that are anything but good. We may be told this day is called good because of what was accomplished for believers by Jesus on the cross. Though this is true, the more accurate meaning of the day’s name comes from the meaning of the Old English word “good,” which means “holy” or “righteous.” This day is a holy day. Friday of Holy Week.
Amidst the tragedy of the events of this day we perceive that Good Friday is fundamentally a story of grace and of God’s love for us. The Father sent his Son into our world. The Son showed us perfect love—a love so great that he freely paid the price for our sins and the sins of the whole world. The gift of that grace and love is offered to all. As John 3:16 poignantly reminds us:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus Christ is the sacrifice given once for all (Heb 7:27; 10:10). The Paschal Lamb (1 Cor 5:6–8), who was slain to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Eph 1:5–7; Heb 9:12–14). Our sins were eliminated by the sacrifice of our Savior, covered by the blood of the Lamb.
For more on Holy Week, see The Week That Changed The World: Daily Reflections for Holy Week.