What’s So Good About Good Friday?

Pastor Michael Wise

Isaiah 53:4-7 is an incredible passage describing the suffering that Jesus would experience as our Redeemer in His earthly ministry.

“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”

You may already be aware that the 20th of this month (April) is Passover.  And while the feasts have been done away with, nailed to the cross along with all the ritual law, there are important lessons to learn from the feasts.

Like: What’s So Good About Good Friday?

In Revelation we are told about the character of God’s final remnant people. Those living in the finals days of earth’s history. Certainly, we understand from Scripture the importance of placing our faith in Jesus. But this final remnant group will have the character and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:12  “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

In this world there is no doubt but what God’s people experience trials and ordeals that test their faith. God’s people experience being/feeling:

• Misunderstood
• Mistreated
• Betrayed
• Abandoned
• Abused
• Forsaken

And it doesn’t get better as this world draws to a close.

This happens because of three reasons:

1) We live in a sinful world and experience it: Romans 3:10-18 “There is none righteous, no, not one;  ¹¹ There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.  ¹² They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”  ¹³ “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”;  ¹⁴ “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”  ¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood;  ¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways;  ¹⁷ And the way of peace they have not known.”  ¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

2) We have a fallen/sinful nature with a self deceptive heart that can get us into trouble if it is fully surrendered to CHrist:  Psalm 51:5  “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me”

Psalm 58:3: “The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.”

Jeremiah 17:9  “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” 

3) We face an angry/cunning devil who knows his time is short and seeks our destruction.

1 Peter 5:8  “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 

Revelation 12:12  “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” 

Knowing this world is getting worse, not better, and the greatest trials still lie ahead, I’ve had Christians tell me that they would rather be laid to rest before Jesus comes then  face the trials that lie ahead. They question, even worry, whether their faith will be sufficient!

Truth be told, OUR faith is not sufficient.

That’s why God gives each of us a measure of faith: 

Romans 12:3  “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

But what are we doing, what will we do, with the faith we are given?

Mark 9:17-29 records the story of a father who had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for healing from demonic possession. The fallen angel had tried to destroy the boy by casting him into fire as well as water. The disciples weren’t able to help him.

Notice Jesus’ words to the father: Vs 23-24  “Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

The father stated he believed in Jesus, yet in his heart he knew that his faith was not sufficient. But instead of leaving in discouragement he pleaded with Jesus for help, for more faith!

We certainly need a strong faith in Jesus, but have you considered that we also need the faith of Jesus?

That is why it’s so important to know what is so good about Good Friday!

Later this month (April 20^th) is something called “Passover”.

Jew’s will celebrate it as one of their annual ritual feasts.

And many “Christians” will celebrate the tradition of Easter. They may take their children to hunt for colored eggs and candy.

Now, I’m not opposed to family fun, or treasure hunts, but have you considered the pagan roots of Easter? 

What do eggs, rabbits, or pagan rituals have to do with Jesus’ death and resurrection? 

If we are going to be prepared to stand for God and His truth in the last days, shouldn’t we be learning all we can about Him and His truth?

Will we hunt even more diligently for the meanings and applications we can find in the true Passover fulfillment then we do for eggs and candy?

So, what’s so good about Good Friday?

Before this world was ever created, The triune Godhead knew Adam, and mankind, would fall and had already made a plan for its redemption. Jesus is called:

“the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” in Revelation 13:8 

Immediately after the fall, God shared His redemption plan with Adam and Eve to give them, and us, hope. And He shared it with Satan to let Him know Him know his fate was certain: Genesis 3:15  “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Our salvation, our redemption, would come though the perfect life, the death, and the resurrection of God the Eternal Son:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

As a boy, Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature”. He came to understand who He was and what His mission was. Notice this statement spoken to His parents when they found Him in the temple:

“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 

Jesus had confirmation & affirmation of His identity and mission throughout His earthly ministry, through the anointing and work of the Holy Spirit, the miracles He performed, the angels who ministered to Him. Even the audible voice of the Father gave Him affirmation and confirmation:

At His baptism:  Luke 3:22  “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

At His mountain transfiguration: Mark 9:7  “And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Jesus never lost sight of His identity or His mission. It was a truth He shared with others.

Luke 4:18-19  “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹ To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD”

Mark 2:15-17   “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

But not always with pleasant results:

John 10:33,36  “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” ³⁶  do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world,`You are blaspheming,’ because I said,`I am the Son of God ‘?”

Jesus knew His mission to redeem the lost would result in His death and His resurrection:

Mark 9:9  “Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”

Luke 18:31-33  “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. ³² “For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. ³³  “They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

Friend, if you know you are a sinner and need a stronger faith in Jesus and the faith of Jesus, then we need to learn What’s So Good About Good Friday

As I mentioned earlier, in this world God’s people will experience trials.  But what about Jesus?  And what does Good Friday teach us about the faith of Jesus? He too was:

• Misunderstood
• Mistreated
• Betrayed
• Abandoned
• Abused
• Forsaken

Notice what Scripture teaches us about Jesus:

Jesus often explained things to the 12 that they hadn’t understood or were afraid to ask.

Matthew 9:31-32  “For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”  ³²  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.”

Nicodemus confessed the Sanhedrin leaders knew Jesus was sent from God.

John 3:1-2  “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Yet, the rest of those leaders plotted to kill Jesus.

Matthew 26:3-4  “Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, ⁴ and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.”

Judas, one of Jesus twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and pretended not to know.

Matthew 26:14-15,25  “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver….²⁵ Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”

All the disciples, not just Peter, vowed not to deny Jesus, but they did.

Matthew 26:34-35  ”  Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” ³⁵ Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.”

Three times, when Jesus needed and solicited their prayers in Gethsemane, they fell asleep.

Matthew 26:38  “Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 

Feeling the crushing weight of the sins of he world, He prayed to the Father three times that the cup He must bear could pass if another way was possible.

Matthew 26:39  “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (vs 42, 44)

His agony was so intense, that His body was breaking down. He began to seat blood.

Luke 22:44  ”  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Then Judas betrayed Him to the soldiers with a kiss.

Matthew 26:49  “Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.”

When He was arrested, all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Matthew 26:56  “But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.”

False witnesses were found to lie about Him in court. I’ve read that night trials were not permitted in the Jewish system. But they held one for Jesus to avoid the multitudes that often looked for Him.

Matthew 26:59-60  “Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, ⁶⁰ but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward.”

He was spit on, beaten,, struck, and mocked.

Matthew 26:67-68  “Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, ⁶⁸ saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

His friend and disciple, Peter, cursed and swore that He didn’t know Him.

Matthew 26:74-75   “Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus”

Out of envy, He was abused and handed over.

Matthew 27:18  “For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.”

The leaders persuaded the multitudes to demand that the criminal Barabbas be released and Jesus crucified.

Matthew 27:20,22  “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. … ²² Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

Three different times he would proclaim Jesus innocent.

Luke 23:4  “So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”  

But Pilate still sent Him to Herod where He was mocked and beaten.

Luke 23:11   “Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.”

Even though Pilate declared Him innocent he offered to have Him chastised to appease the Jewish leaders.

Luke 23:22  “Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

Twice Jesus was scourged, then to appease them Pilate consented to His crucifixion. The death penalty could only be pronounced by the Roman government.

Matthew 27:26  “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

He was abused, hurt, by the Roman soldiers.

Matthew 27:28-31  “And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. ²⁹ When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”

The passerby’s, leaders, and 2 criminals blasphemed, mocked, and reviled Him as He hung on the cross.

Matthew 27:39,41,44  “And those who passed by blasphemed Him,… ⁴¹  Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders,… ⁴⁴  Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.”

Our Redeemer suffered more than we will ever imagine or experience ourselves. But for all the physical pain, that wasn’t what killed Him.

What’s so good about Good Friday? In addition to Jesus dying for the sins of the world, Good Friday is so good because in it, we find The FAITH OF JESUS!

In spite of all He went through, He never responded/retaliated with harshness. Instead, His heart of love was concerend for others, for us!

Jesus was sweating blood in Gethsemane, He was already beginning to die under the pressure of taking our sin, becoming sin for us, yet He prayed, for us: John 17:20  “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word”

He could have called out and the legions of heaven’s angels would have come to His rescue.

John 18:36  “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”  (John 19:11)

While being forced to the cross, He was still concerned for the Jews. He knew what their future held.  

Luke 23:28  “But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Despite His incredible physical pain, He prayed for His abusers, and those seeking His death.

Luke 23:34  “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

Even while nailed to the cross, He brought hope and salvation to the lost and hopeless.

Luke 23:43  “And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

In the garden, Jesus had prayed to the Father to be glorified so He could glorify the Father (John 17:1).  He asked that His own divine glory would be restored (John 17:5), but on the cross, His body filled with pain and covered in darkness, He felt alone and abandoned; Forsaken by everyone, including the Father:

Matthew 26:46  “And about the ninth hour (3 p.m.) Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Yes, Jesus gave up His life on the cross, but it wasn’t the cross that killed Him. Taking our sin and its penalty was the only way to redeem mankind. Even if it meant being separated from the Father.

Matthew 26:50  “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”

Luke 23:46  “And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father,`into Your hands I commit My spirit.'” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

Friends, do you see the good in Good Friday?

In His agony, as He became sin and took the curse of sin, Jesus could not see through the portals of the tomb.  He didn’t know if His sacrifice was sufficient or acceptable.  Yet, when He could not see beyond that moment of time, He choose to put His trust, His life, into His Father’s hands, His word and promises. What an act of faith, the Faith of Jesus!

When He didn’t know if He would ever see life or His Father again, He set aside feelings and choose faith to accomplish the mission.

Dear friend,

Do you have an identity as a child of God?

Do you have a mission from God?

Your faith, your strength, they will be insufficient to accomplish the work God has given you. It will be insufficient to see you through the final days.

There is only way we are going to become Christians ready to live in, and through, the last days. Just like that father many years ago who brought his demon possessed son to Jesus, we can petition our Redeemer, that though we have faith, we need Him to help us with our lack of faith. We need His faith, the faith of Jesus.

And when you face dark times, when your faith is shaken, you can have the Faith of Jesus, because Jesus will share His faith with you.

He is after all, the Author and Finisher of our Faith!

Hebrews 12:2-3  “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

To have a better sense of the physical ordeal Jesus endured, I have included a description of the Roman scourging by G.W. Target

A single scourging consisted of 39 excruciating lashes.  The scourge itself was a multi-thonged, short-handled whip made of ox-leather, knotted with small knuckle-bones, or lead balls, or even bronze hooks made to tear the flesh.  He would be stripped naked, jeered at and insulted, hung by his hands from rings in the ceiling, or against a wall, or spread-eagled around a pillar, and then, thus exposed and vulnerable, he would be flogged back and front by two or more men, chosen for their physical strength, and trained to inflict the most frightful injuries without actual killing.  During this flogging the victim would first be lashed and wealed, then bruised, then the flesh would rise in ragged furrows, then the blood would begin to flow, and then he would be practically cut to pieces by the incessant blows on the arms, shoulders, back, kidney areas, buttocks, thighs, legs, the soft flesh of the belly and loins: the skin torn away in jags and strips, the ribs flayed, and even the bowels laid open–blow on blow, until he hung, one wound.

“Watch With Me“, G.W. Target, Pg. 36