Why Good Friday is “good”

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Live long and prosper”

Our Bible verse for today: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “This is why Good Friday is “good”

Many years ago, Pastor Tony Campolo preached a sermon (which he borrowed from an old black preacher named S.M. Lockridge) which ultimately was turned into a best-selling book, and which has then also been the inspiration for many song lyrics. The title of the sermon and book was “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.”

It had a double meaning. First, clearly, the reference is to Jesus’ death on the cross. On that Friday Jesus suffered a tortuous and hideous death by crucifixion. The One who was believed by many to have been the long-awaited Messiah was dead, his body mangled beyond recognition. The hopes of His followers apparently shattered.

That was Friday, but Sunday was coming. We all know the rest of the story. We know that on Sunday morning, the first Easter, Jesus would be raised from the dead and He would live forever. We also know that by His sacrifice we can be saved and thereby defeat death as well (John 3:16).

The death on the cross had to occur. There had to be a death so there could be a resurrection. And there had to be a resurrection so there could be new life – life after death. All of that had to happen and as horrible as it was, that is what makes Good Friday “good”. It was good that it happened, or we would all be lost in our sins forever.

To those first followers, on that Friday, it sure didn’t seem good. But ultimately something very bad was leading to something very good. And that then leads us to the second half of that double meaning of the phrase “It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming”. The phrase has become a metaphor for our times of trials and struggles. Sooner or later, everything passes. Sooner or later, your trial will end. Either it will be resolved in this lifetime or in eternity but either way, it comes to pass. Therefore, as we are going through our difficult times, we can truthfully say, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” Better days are ahead.

There’s an old Baptist hymn we sometimes still sing in church. The title is “Because He lives”. One line says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Today is Good Friday. And it is “good”. Take some time today to thank the Lord Jesus for the sacrifice He made for you and for me. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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