Is Good Friday Any Good?

This question has been answered and explained umpteen times by theologians, including our own Pastor Moe, on Good Friday. And yet, this day remains too good to be true. 

It was a dark, bleak day, showing the worst in and of us.  These things  came to the fore: betrayal, cruelty, mercilessness, ruthlessness, callousness, poor judgment, etc. Physically, these were played out: blood, wounds, pain, thirst, agony, tears, fear, etc. 

Even so, everything about good Friday is good. 

It was the day the Lord reversed all these by being all these on the cross to represent us, sin. He also demonstrated what would never be approximated by the human heart—forgiveness to the worst of the worst, no questions asked. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do . . .” (Luke 23:34 KJV) 

Right then and there, He showed us how it’s done.  

When one of the criminals hanging on the cross beside His recognized Him as the Saviour, He bestowed instant and total forgiveness. A retired pastor, Bruce Fields, wrote: 

"How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology?  No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, no financial gifts, and no church clothes. 

He couldn't even bend his knees to pray. He didn't say the sinner's prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn't take away his pain, heal his body, or smite his scoffers. 

Yet, it was a thief who walked into paradise the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who He said He was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the lobby. Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray."  

Then Jesus died for that thief and for all of us. And our sins died with Him.  

Lord, we can never thank you enough.