What's So Good About It?

I originally posted this on Good Friday 2005. Thought it was worth repeating:

Doesn't it seem strange that we call the day that the world killed the Messiah Good Friday? Having viewed The Passion of the Christ movie, almost everyone is now familiar with just how brutal Jesus' death really was. How quickly the world turned on him! On Palm Sunday, he was celebrated as a King. By Thursday, he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death on Friday morning.

So what is so good about it? It was good because Jesus paid a price that I cannot pay. It was good because the problem of sin was resolved on that day. It was good because Satan was defeated. It was good because God's deep love for us was revealed that day. It was good because it brought spiritual freedom to the masses. It was good because a bridge was built to God. It was good because heaven was made available to all. In the midst of his incredible pain and agony, I think Jesus knew it was a good thing too. Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."