Good Friday — the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Why would anyone call such a horrible day “good?” The Gospels record the trial and death of Jesus in a fairly matter of fact way, but it is still impossible to miss the injustice and cruelty he endured.
Crucifixion was such a painful form of torture that it birthed a word expressing extreme anguish — cruciatus (excruciating). The victim was fastened to a cross with spikes through the hands (or wrists) and feet. As they hung there, they would alternate supporting their weight by hanging from their hands or pushing up with their feet as long as they could stand the pain of either.
Eventually they would become so weak from pain and loss of blood they wouldn’t be able to push themselves up anymore, and they would slowly suffocate.
But we’re also told he was spit on, beaten, ridiculed, flogged and had a crown of thorns jammed down on his head.
Seven hundred years earlier, the prophet Isaiah tells us what’s so good about Good Friday: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6, NIV)
He did all that for us. TGIGF (Thank God it’s Good Friday).
