Praise the Lord and Happy “Good” Friday Everyone. 😀
Back in 1995 there was a movie called “Friday”. I’m sure many of you have seen it. The movie is centered around Craig Jones (Ice Cube) who had a bad Friday. He got fired for stealing cardboard boxes, his rent was due, had a domineering girlfriend, Joi (Paula Jai Parker), who he really didn’t like and his best friend, Smokey (Chris Tucker), owes the local drug dealer some money and this is all before noon. And as the day went on, his day didn’t get any better as he encountered many things.
His day didn’t get better until Friday night after he won a fight against the neighborhood bully.
Beloved, this morning I want to ask you three questions. My first question is: on this day over 2,000 years ago as Jesus hung on the cross, do you think any of the people that was present call that day a “good” day? The high priest Caiaphas and the Pharisees has just got rid of a popular, powerful important preacher.
But, they had no idea about the true value or worth of the man they just crucified. Pontius Pilate, was an uncompromising Roman governor, and he unenthusiastically allowed Jesus to be crucified to pacify the mob and their leaders demanding Jesus’ life. Beloved, Pilate turned Jesus over to the execution squad, who looked at it as just another death sentence to be carried out along with two others that day. That was until the centurion realized they’d killed the Son of God!!!
My second question is: do you think the disciples call it a “good” day? Well if any of the disciples did call it “good,” it was only after encountering the risen Christ.
And my third question is: do you think Jesus would have called that Friday “good”? You see, the scene at Gethsemane the night before was agonizing!!! Jesus begged His Father to spare Him from His awful mission.
But, perhaps later, when He returned to heaven to be with God, he finally said, “Yes, Father, that was a good day.”
Beloved, the term “Good Friday” first occurred in the fourth century. Some think it was originally called “God’s Friday.” But today, we can call it “good” if we appreciate the fact that Jesus’ trial, punishment, and death brought our salvation. These truths are seen through the spiritual spectacles of faith. So, in that sense it truly is “Good Friday”!!!
But like Craig, many of us have started out some Fridays that were not good.
But by the end of the weekend, we realize Friday turned out to be not so bad after all.
Beloved, our resurrected Savior’s Friday started out bad but turned out Good. John 19:30 says: Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Have a blessed Good Friday and an Awesome Resurrection Weekend!!! 😀
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