“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’” – 1 Cor. 15:3b-4
Some might be perplexed as they focus on the events that are commemorated today, which is Good Friday, as this day from an earthly viewpoint centers on brutality and violence. Good Friday, however, is one of the most sacred days observed each year by the faithful throughout the world.
From a worldly perspective, it is hard to understand why Christians celebrate Good Friday as this day is a time when the faithful remember our sinless Lord’s sacrifice as He was crucified centuries ago on a wooden cross in Golgotha. What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus, who was innocent, on the day He was crucified was certainly not good, so why is it that Christians celebrate Good Friday?
Good Friday is truly good because our Lord’s death on the cross was all a part of God’s plan to bring redemption and salvation to a lost and sinful humanity. Today, Christians celebrate because Jesus Christ our Savior willingly laid down His life, it was not taken from Him, as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. He took the wrath of God that we deserve for our sins upon Himself so that we could be forgiven and saved from eternal condemnation.
Praise be to God, Jesus’ death on the cross is not where the story culminates. Jesus’ sacrifice leads to another chief event in world history, the Lord’s resurrection from the grave. Just three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, Christ arose from the grave victorious over sin and death forevermore.
The death and resurrection of our Lord are the sole reasons why believers have victory over sin and have a sure future with God for all eternity. This is why we can say with the Apostle Paul today, “‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-57).
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for the salvation that You have made possible through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, thank You for leaving the glory of heaven to come to this earth as the perfect and sinless sacrifice for the sin of the world. Father, we praise You for the resurrection of our Lord from the grave and that if we believe in You, we can also have victory over sin and death. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
