Why do we call this “Good” Friday? Well …” Today, the calamitous day is celebrated as Good Friday. But what’s so good about that? One answer is that at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, “good” may have referred to “holy” in Old English, a linguistic theory supported by many language experts.” And “The origin of the term Good is not clear. Some say it is from “God’s Friday” (Gottes Freitag),” Or maybe it’s simply this – we remember the Good-ness of Jesus and His act of sacrifice to save us from our sins and to honor His Father.
Take time today and think about this:
The seven sayings
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
I thirst.
It is finished.
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
In the above format 1. Pleading for us, all of us 2. The promise He offers to all of us 3. The love of a son for his mother, that she be taken care of 4. Quoting Scripture – Psalm 22, verse one * 5. Fully human expression and need 6. What God and Jesus agreed upon has been accomplished 7. Jesus honors His Father and again submits Himself to the Father’s will
*In his book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado writes an answer to the question Jesus asks; Max writes ” … so we wouldn’t have to” When I read that, I burst into tears and sobbing. It was a powerful gut punch I remember to this day.
All of Lent – the praying, the fasting, the almsgiving – all of Lent leads us to this day. This is the day we’ve been preparing for. Use this day and the words we read here and consider again our debt, our names written on the nails that pierced His hands and feet, this act of love beyond all reason and understanding.
O God; Your sea is so great and my boat is so small.