Why is it "Good"?

It's a valid question - Why do we call it "Good" Friday? What is so Good about Jesus being killed?

As I tucked the boys into bed last night, I reminded them of today and what Good Friday is. Eli's question is a great one - Why in the world do we call something that was so horrible good!

Matthew's gospel says, "They stripped and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they lead him away to crucify him." He was forced to carry His own cross up to Golgotha - which means Skull. On the way, the same crowds, who just days before had shouted Hosanna as he rode along now called for his death - "Crucify Him". They put sinners on either side of Him - these men were truly guilty (like you and me). He was put in the center. They took huge spikes drove them into his hands and his feet. The crowds continued to pass by and "hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!'" (Mark 15:29-30)

There was nothing Good or Glorious about his Death and yet we celebrate "Good Friday". There is Good - we must tell the WHOLE story to get the beauty of Easter. He died that horrible death so that we might live. He suffered for us, on our behalf. He did it for me. He did it for my kids. He did it for YOU!

Tonight our congregations will participate together in a Tenebrae Service - which comes from a latin word meaning darkness or shadows where we look at the 7 words from the cross and contemplate what life would have been like if the story ended on Good Friday - IT can't end until Easter Morning. There is more, we must tell the WHOLE STORY!

Yes, there is blood, torture, pain and suffering - but that isn't the end! The Good is coming! Are you ready to celebrate?