1. Good Friday is Good Because It Shows Us the True Nature of Our Sin.
It is good for us to reflect on the the extent of our sin. When we see the penalty that our sin cost, it forces us to come to terms with just how bad our sin is–and this is good.
2. Good Friday is Good Because It Shows Us How Amazing and Overwhelming the Love and Grace of God Are.
Jesus willingly went to the cross. He was beaten, mocked, spat upon, humiliated and ridiculed, and he suffered these things willingly. He even prayed that the very ones doing these things would be forgiven!
Scripture tells us that one of his motivations was the love he has for his people. In fact, Romans 5:8, Paul tells us that “God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did it for us! In John 15:13, Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus said that; then, on Good Friday, he did it!
3. Good Friday is Good Because in the Cross, Jesus Won Our Forgiveness.
At the moment of Jesus’ death, he said, “It is finished.” It was finished. Jesus fulfilled his mission and won forgiveness for his people. We can be sure that we will not have to face the punishment for our sins. We can experience forgiveness because Jesus has already taken that punishment on our behalf!
4. Good Friday is Good Because in the Cross, We See the Glory of God More Fully and Clearly than in any Other Event in History.
As Jesus hangs dying, we see the full picture of God’s character. It is a clear display of his glory as he, himself, steps in our place to take the punishment that we deserve. We see his justice and holiness and righteousness as he acts rightly against sin and his wrath is poured out on Jesus. We also see his forgiveness, grace, love, and mercy as they are poured out on us.
5. Good Friday is Good Because it is Not the End of the Story.
We know that Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, was just around the corner.
Good Friday was not a surprise to Jesus. It was the very reason that Jesus was born! Jesus had been foretelling his death and resurrection in his words and actions throughout his earthly ministry. He said that he would tear down the temple and raise it in three days. He raised Lazarus, Jairus’s daughter, and the widow’s son showing that he has authority over life and death.
He said that no one takes his life from him but that he lays it down willingly–and that he would also take it up when he wills. This is why his death brings forgiveness. In his death and resurrection, he overcame death.
Finally, I want to remind you that Good Friday is not necessarily good for everyone. It is only good for those whose sins have actually been forgiven. It is only good for those who have turned from their sins and are trusting in Jesus’ death for forgiveness of sin. I pray that this is true for all of you reading this right now.
Here, I have offered 5 reasons that make Good Friday good. Of course, if we were to take the time and make the effort, we could come up with countless reasons that Good Friday is good. I invite you to add reasons that you are thinking of in the comments below.
(To view the Good Friday service where this sermon was originally preached, follow the link. https://youtu.be/qJHT7V5vAFc)
