John 19:30
The day that Jesus died, which we now so sacredly refer to as Good-Friday, really did not seem like a “good” Friday, for His disciples, his loved ones and those who really cared about Him, especially at first. They must have viewed it as the darkest, most depressing day of all their lives. It was tragic, to say the least, in every possible way. At least so it appears! As a child I often wondered why they called it Good Friday when there was so much pain, sadness, and horror associated with the transactions of this day – this one eventful day!
More than anything else, He, their most ever-loving and cherished messiah, was now dead. Their hope now seemed dead. Their cause demolished! Death had struck again and destroyed another victim, and this time its victim was their victor, the so-called messiah and miracle-worker.
It seemed like if hell was rejoicing in victory and the demons were shrieking with delight. He who had raised Jairus’ daughter from among the dead (Mark 5:38-43) was now dead. He who had raised the widow’s son from death (Luke 7:7-17) was now Himself dead. He, who had gloriously raised Lazarus from the dead after four days (John 11), was now Himself silenced by death. Nothing could be more depressing, disappointing, and devastating to them. It now really must have seemed to them like a haunting nightmare, that the seemingly Invincible One, was so hastily taken away from them, in such an indescribably violent, hostile manner, ignominiously crucified like a common criminal.
They however had forgotten that Jesus deliberately, prophetically said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). They forgot how He said He must go to Jerusalem and suffer …and be killed and be raised again the third day (Matthew 16:21), just like He said. They could not reconcile in their minds, the idea of a crucified messiah. His death only represented for them broken dreams, dashed hopes, and unfulfilled promises. That Christ ought to have suffered these things, and to enter his glory – is a lesson they finally grasped afterward (Luke 24:26). Luke further enlightens us: “These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” (John 12:16).
Thank God, they finally got it, to the point that they now help us to understand that it really was a Good Friday. As we carefully analyze the Scriptures, we now indeed see the necessity of what is now called Good Friday. Good Friday with all its ugly horrors was indeed the greatest event in our salvation history. It was there that the victory was won (John 19:30) which led indeed to the triumph of the resurrection. The cross is the victory, the resurrection the triumph! As a direct result of good Friday, “Death could not keep its prey! He tore the bars away! Hallelujah, Christ Arose”! The angels declared, “He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee,” (Luke 24:6). The tomb is indeed empty! What a message we were given to propagate and proclaim, and we do so most joyfully and exuberantly! We declare again, Jesus won! As a result of His glorious victory and resurrection, we too shall rise!
May the twenty-first century church always keep in mind that this present age is Easter time. It is said that it begins with the resurrection of the Redeemer and ends with the resurrection of the redeemed. We therefore live between two Easters. May we in the power of the first Easter go to meet the last Easter! The victory having been won, we go forth daily in the resurrection power of our great Lord and Savior. Thank God, He is risen!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
