I have always wondered why it is called Good Friday. It always seemed to me that the name should symbolize the horrors that took place roughly 2000 years ago. When we consider all that Jesus went through, it feels like we chose a poor name for this holiday. Spending more time in God’s word has helped me to realize just how good and bad this Friday really is. Let’s take a moment to look back upon exactly what took place on this day and see whether or not we can still call it Good Friday.

The book of Mark gives us some of the clearest insight into what happened immediately before Jesus was hung upon the cross. Mark 15:16-20 says: “The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the company of soldiers. They put a purple robe upon him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit upon him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.” I don’t know about you, but this passage horrifies me. It seems to perfectly describe the seeds of sin and hate that the devil is constantly sowing in our lives. I wonder how it was possible that these men were able to be so spiteful against someone who had done absolutely nothing to harm them. What amazes me even more is the fact that Jesus remains silent. You don’t hear Him calling out for help. He doesn’t even rebuke them. Instead, He willingly takes the punishment that we deserve.

In the gospel of Luke we are provided with the most vivid description of the crucifixion. Luke 23:32-43 says: “Two other men, both criminals were also led out with him to be executed. When they came near to the place called the Skull, they crucified him along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was written a notice above him, which read: This Is The King Of The Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”” This is it. Jesus hanging there on the cross to pay for our sins. There is not a hint of anger in His voice. Sadness, perhaps, but not anger. Instead as He hangs there dying He shows His love. “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” How could they not know? They were brutally murdering an innocent man. Not only that, they were brutally murdering The Son of God. Jesus had every right to be angry, but all we can see is His great love.

Perhaps the love that Jesus showed almost 2000 year ago is the reason that we call today Good Friday. The fact of the matter is that great evil took place. The devil was most definitely rejoicing to see Jesus dying, but he wasn’t ready for what would come next. In hindsight we know that Jesus rose from the dead. We know that we can spend all of eternity with Him thanks to the gift He gave us. We know that His blood paid the price for our sins. This should be humbling. We are so rotten, that it cost Jesus His life to cover over the mistakes we made. One final thought that I believe we all should be thinking about this Easter. One of the criminals mocked Jesus. We all know where he went when he finally died, and it’s not a nice place. The other man approached Him in humility, asking for forgiveness. What did Jesus say to him? “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” This is why we call today Good Friday. Not because of the great evil that took place. We call today Good Friday because of the good news of salvation that Jesus purchased for us.