The Goodness of Good Friday

Rom 5:6-8
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJ)

There is always considerable debate as to the appropriateness of celebrating Christian holidays (holy days) and the manner in which they should be observed. Regardless of your particular conviction on this, it is my belief that any day is appropriate to discuss the Good News (this is what the word "Gospel" means). So what will follow is a few brief remarks about the goodness of Good Friday.

The first good thing I want to point out, is that God didn't wait for us to get our act together. Paul says that while we were "still without strength, Christ died for the ungodly". That's right- Jesus didn't die for perfect people; He died for the ungodly. This is a beautiful picture of the magnificent grace of God. No matter what you've done, or how unsavable you think you are; Jesus has paid the price for you. The first few chapters of the bible speak of the fall of man (which didn't take God by surprise by the way!). The remainder of the bible demonstrates God's attempt to redeem a fallen world.

Paul says that there are some things worth dying for. Jesus even said that one of the greatest acts of love is to lay down your life for your friends (John 15:13). Paul says that perhaps some would be willing to die for a "good" man. Of course the irony here is that in this letter (Romans), Paul has already laid out a convincing case that none of us are truly as "good" as we think we are (Romans 3:9-12). Even on our best day, we still fall short of God's perfect standard.

Now for the ultimate demonstration of love. God became a man, lived among us, and allowed His own creation to crucify Him. Jesus was not a victim in all of this. The events that unfolded during the Passion week were all part of God's plan from the beginning (see Acts 2:23). Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. This is what makes His love Divine. He loves the unlovable, the unworthy, the undeserving. The events of Passion week; the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the rejection, betrayal, trials, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are all part of that grand and glorious story we know as "The Gospel".

Now that's some good news!

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