For many in the Valley, Holy Week is a sacred time and while less than 10% of the population in McAllen are Christians, there is a strong religious observance and “reverence” toward many seasons in the church calendar. And as Good Friday approaches, I thought it would be helpful to walk through the meaning behind it as it is a huge part of history and a cultural value for many Valley Natives.

To clarity, Good Friday is paramount for the Christian because it is the day in which Jesus willingly suffered, was crucified on a wooden cross, and died as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for sinners (1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21) followed by the Resurrection (Easter) where Christ, after three days and according to the Scriptures, was raised from the dead conquering sin, hell, Satan, and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 55-58)

On Good Friday, Jesus cried in a loud voice, “It is finished!” which marked a turning point in redemptive history. The loud cry of Jesus meant that the work by which we are reconciled to God was not satisfied through His atoning sacrifice.

WHY “GOOD FRIDAY”?

There are many discussions surrounding the origins of the name “Good Friday.” For some, the word “good” is a derivative of the word “God” suggesting that the origin of this day was actually “God’s Friday.” For others, “Good Friday” is a unique contradiction as Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, dies crucified on a cross, but through His death provides redemptive hope (more on this in a minute).

Here are two reasons why Good Friday is so good in spite of the terrible sequence of events that occurred leading to the death of Jesus:

1. Good Friday and The Condition of our Hearts

One of the things that Good Friday should lead us to recognize and understand is that we are a sinful people who are under condemnation. When we read the law of God, we quickly learn how holy He is and how depraved we are. This doesn’t mean that we can never do moral good, but it does mean that apart from Christ, we are enslaved sin. It’s not that we’re simply human and imperfect, but that we are enslaved by nature (Romans 6:16). Good Friday is a reminder lifts our eyes to our need for a savior. The gospel of Jesus is what brings us grace and the relief of salvation.

2. The Joy of The Resurrection

As terrible as the events of this day were—Jesus beaten and whipped, his beard plucked, a crown of thorns placed over his head, deserted by his closest friends, and crucified—we could not receive the hope and joy in the resurrection without it. The significance of the cross isn’t only that Jesus died, but that the wrath of God was poured onto him on our behalf in order for forgiveness and reconciliation to take place.

Paradoxically, the day that is filled with blood shed, grief, sorrow, and what looked like a triumph for evil was actually a day where God’s glorious plan of redemption was accomplished.

Good Friday is where Jesus endured the cross knowing that it would lead to His resurrection and our salvation (Hebrews 12:2). Good Friday marks the day where wrath and mercy met at the cross. And that is why Good Friday is so good.

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