SIGNIFICANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY

Pr. James Victor Lubwama 

The death and resurrection of Jesus was foretold in both the Old and New Testament (Isaiah 53:7, Zachariah 11, Mathew 26:17-29, Mark 14, Luke 22). And because of what happened on Good Friday, we have a reason to confidently fight the devil; for we draw our strength and authority from the victory that Jesus obtained on our behalf on the cross

Wherever Jesus went, a lot of good happened; He restored hope to the downhearted, the dead were brought back to life, the sick were healed, and sinners were forgiven. He transformed peoples’ lives and brought a fundamental change in the lives of those who believed. Matthew 15:30-31 says;

“Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel”

But after all this good that Jesus did, He had to die as it had been stated in the scriptures (Isaiah 53:3-7, Psalm 22:17-18). His death meant something to us - He is the Lamb of God who was slain to take away our sins; to redeem humanity and give them an opportunity to become children of God (Galatians 3:26). We didn't have a chance to live in eternity or become acceptable to God because of our sinful backgrounds (Colossians 2:13-15) but His blood washed away our sins, we became acceptable before God and through him, we became God’s children. 

The Good on Good Friday 

1. Jesus took your place, He suffered for you; He was rich but He became poor for your sake. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says; “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 

2. He was slain like a lamb without resistance. Isaiah 53:7(NIV) says; ”He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." 

3. He was dishonored when he was stripped naked and the clothes taken. Clothes represent honour - a cover up. He was stripped naked and shamed for my sake. He was stripped so that I am clothed with honour. He went through all that so that we receive honour. He was beaten for my sake and He chose not to fight back for our sake yet He was able to command the angels. Matthew 26:52-53 says; 

“But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?"

4. A crown of thorns and the shedding of blood meant that our sins were forgiven. After spilling blood, our sins were forgiven. 1 Peter 2:24 says; “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right" 

He took the place of Barabbas, a sinner who represents us all as a way of setting sinners free. He was afflicted for my sake and; "by His stripes I am healed" - Isaiah 53:5

5. It is finished; His mission was accomplished at the cross. He became a curse so that you and I become a blessing. When Jesus was hung, His plan was to break the curse on my behalf so that a blessing is released unto me. Galatians 3:13 (AMP) says; 

“Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)” 

A Perfect Sacrifice For an Imperfect Me

Sin gets us out of fellowship with God but Jesus' blood is gracious because it takes away our sins and makes us deserving to receive what the righteous receive; we were given a second chance to life and, access and connection to the blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14). We are redeemed and free from bondage because the blood of the Lamb of God cleansed us. John 1:29 (TLB) asserts; 

“Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sin!" 

Because of the blood, you and I can receive more than enough - we received the gift of the Holy Spirit which is God himself living within us. The blood that was shed dealt with sin, shame and suffering; there is no need for self-condemnation because the Lamb of God takes away sin, curses, yokes, witchcraft and breaks the shackles of oppression. Everything that we need is in Christ: He was slain to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength glory and honour on our behalf; which we can now rightfully claim. Revelation 5:11-12 (TLB) says;

“Then in my vision I heard the singing of millions of angels surrounding the throne and the Living Beings and the Elders: 12 “The Lamb is worthy (loudly they sang it!), the Lamb who was slain. He is worthy to receive the power, and the riches, and the wisdom, and the strength, and the honor, and the glory, and the blessing.”

It’s Good Friday because wrath met mercy and we were ushered into a new Covenant with great promises. The death of Christ is a great joy for us because through him we became God's children and can go before his throne directly and not through a second a party as it was in the Old Testament. At the cross we received salvation and victory