Thursday, March 20, 2008

Good Friday

Why is crucifixion Friday called Good Friday?
I did some research into the origin of referring to crucifixion Friday as Good Friday. Since it is never refered to that in the bible I was curious . The most plausible answer I found is that it was first called God’s Friday and then became Good Friday in the same way that ‘God be with ye ‘ became ‘Good b-ye’.

I have heard people protest that the day of Christ’s suffering should not be called Good Friday – since it was only good for us , not for God.

When God created the earth and all that is in it … including man …. He proclaimed it good even though He knew that man would rebel against the God that loved them. And He knew the price that He would have to pay to redeem sinful man .

Even though He knew….. it is recorded that God saw that it was good !! ALL of it !

I read Isaiah 53 today and verse 10 stood out to me. “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.”

It PLEASED the Lord? Do you see the implication these words carry ??
It PLEASED the Lord to sacrifice His Son ….. for what purpose ? To save us who did not deserve God's favor. To reconcile you and me in relationship to Himself, it pleased Him to pay the price required.

Today on Good Friday let us reflect with fresh amazement on the wonder of a God who would be pleased to pay such a price to make our salvation possible. Can we do less than out of a willing grateful heart throw ourselves before the cross and worship Him?

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows:
Yet we esteemed Him stricken.
Smitten by God and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray ;
We have turned, every one to his own way .
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isiah 53:4-6)

4 comments:

A Lady said...

Julie, I am just delighted to read your blog again today. I did not know about the goodbye meaning, I rather like it! A blessing in disguise, happiness snuck in a traditionally sad moments, saying goodbye not being the happiest of things to have to say.
Beautiful analogy with the mice nibble too, I was wondering how it was going to go, you delight me!
Thank you for the beautiful posts. The put a bit of a happy springy bounce in my soul this morning.

Anonymous said...

When you really ponder what God has done for us, and think upon the ultimate sacrifice, and the meaning of it all, and the forgiveness - it just leaves me speechless...and in tears...and so joyful. Amazed, I guess, is the best word for it.

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

I am thankful today for all who accepted the blood shed on the cross...and made that moment a victory.
Joyeous thoughts Julie! I ponder too...

Demara said...

Yes it is too big for words to describe how great the love the Father lavished on us when he pleased the Lord. In His death we are healed! Is THIS a "good" Friday? I sure think so...but do we deserve it? yes and no. yes because we are God's creation, He saw beauty in that! and no because we are dirty in our "own" alone-apart-from-God ways. But I can see how Jesus' death pleased the Lord...He wanted to save his masterpieces from destruction!!!

"Goodbye" :)
proverbs 17:17
I love you Julie!