In the South all of creation is proclaiming Easter! Resurrection is in bloom. But before spring we went through winter and Good Friday comes before Easter.

When I was little I remember asking my mother why the day Jesus died was called “Good Friday.” I couldn’t understand why the day Jesus was crucified would be called “good.”

An old BC cartoon captured the idea with something like, “If you were sentenced to die and someone volunteered to take your place, what would you call it?” “Good” becomes a mild adjective in that context.

Listen to what happened at the cross. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus became sin for me, for you. He had no sin of His own. God saw that sin and poured out His just wrath on Jesus. Jesus took the hell I deserved (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

But it gets even better. He took my sin and gave me His righteousness. He took my hell and gave me His heaven. He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” so that I will never know what it is like to be abandoned by my Heavenly Father (Matt. 27:45).

When God looked at Jesus on the cross, whose sin did He see? Our sin, Jesus did not have any sin. Now when God looks at me, whose righteousness does He see? Jesus’ righteousness! My righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

I hope by now you are shouting “Glory Hallelujah!” There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). He took it all. There is no dread of death, He took it all (2 Corinthians 15:54-57). There is no fear of abandonment, He took it all (Hebrews 13:5,6). I will never be left alone, Christ bridged the gap between fallen mankind and a holy God.

Praise God for Easter, and for Good Friday. For without Good Friday, there would be no Easter. Will you receive by faith His gift to you this Easter?

I’d like to hear from you. What does Easter and Good Friday mean to you?

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