Christianity has many paradoxes. One of these is that we revere the cross and call the day of our Lord’s brutal execution “good.”

Why is this the case? Why is this “Good Friday?”

First, this Friday is good because it reveals the love of God for the people of the world. Words cannot possibly demonstrate the love of God as the cross can.

When God sent His Son to the world to die for our sins, He did the unthinkable. Among many other truths, this aspect of God’s message makes Christianity unique.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NLT). “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Think of that statement. He died for the undeserving. He died for ungodly people.

Second, this is a good day because it reminds us of God’s forgiveness and our new life in Him. At about 3:00 PM today, I will lift my eyes to the heavens knowing God has done the ultimate by giving His Son that I may be new.

Third, this day is good because on this day Christ who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He took our sin upon Himself. He took our penalty.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

That fact makes this a very good day.

Fourth, this day is good because on this day, He exchanged our unworthiness (our unrighteousness) for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Of course, this day is only good because Sunday is coming. The resurrection shows God’s power through the cross to make us new and to forgive us from our sin. Taken together–the cross and the resurrection–this is a very good day.

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