Tomorrow is known throughout the Christian world as Good Friday. Remembered as the day that Jesus was crucified, many think instead that the day should be known as Black Friday. However, as us Americans know, that name is reserved for the day after Thanksgiving, when most of the traditional retail stores and companies in the United States have historically gone from “being in the red” and unprofitable for the year, to “being in the black” and finally breaking even and heading towards a year-end profit. That said, it would seem that the day that the Son of God was executed would be worthy of being known as the blackest of days. We certainly wouldn’t think of it as good.
What is even more interesting to me is that people who understand theologically what took place that Friday, and see the direct correlation to the empty tomb and resurrection that is celebrated on Easter Sunday still wince at the idea of calling that Friday “Good.” There was nothing good about the arrest under false pretenses, the subsequent humiliation, torture, and execution of an innocent man on that day. It was evil, ugly, and horrific, showing off the depravity of man to about the fullest extent possible. It almost feels insulting to call it good. It certainly doesn’t feel right.
But is it right?
The Christian Church can celebrate Good Friday because a miracle took place on Sunday, where death and sin were conquered. Because humans cannot perform miracles, we tend to have a particularly naturalistic or humanistic perspective on events, and therefore we have our own understanding of what is good and what isn’t good. Yet since God is the one who performs miracles, He saves some of His best work for those times that seem darkest and most hopeless. God has the ability to take the most evil plans of man and work in and through them to bring about a good and pleasing result. That was the message that Joseph delivered to his brothers in Egypt after the brothers realized that the one that they had sold into slavery was the second most powerful man in Egypt. Joseph declared to them “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20).
The evil hearts of man intended to rid themselves of a dangerous teacher and leader, but God intended to provide a pathway to forgiveness and reconciliation for those who, by faith, would accept the free gift provided by God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus the Christ. God’s eyes were not fixed solely upon the horrors of Friday, but instead saw through to the miraculous resurrection and the salvation and glory that it would bring. There was goodness (and love) in ways that we have difficulty comprehending that Friday, but it was God’s plan, and we are blessed by it.
If you find yourself mired in darkness, remember how God redeemed the evil of man some 2,000 years ago. Then, If you are on Daufuskie, come and worship with us on Good Friday at 2:30 at the church, and come Easter Sunday, either at 8:00 am at the Beach Club at Haig Point (weather permitting) or the church at 10:00 am. Come and see why it is so good!
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron