What's Good about Good Friday?
“Why is it called ‘Good Friday’ in English; isn't it about Jesus dying?” asked Monica's best friend at school, who is a Brazilian.
In Brazil the day that commemorates Jesus’ death is known as “Sexta-feira Santa,” which means “Holy Friday.” There are also some other differences between North America and Brazil when it comes to Easter. Chocolate eggs are the main thing given to kids on Easter, and stores stock hundreds of them in preparation for the big day. And nearly everyone, whether they are actively Christians or not, eats fish on Holy Friday.
I told Monica that we call Saturday of holy week “Holy Saturday” in English, so perhaps that title was already taken. But, more importantly, we call “Good Friday” good because Jesus’ death on the cross, coupled with his resurrection from the dead, opened to us a path to reconciliation with God and victory over sin, death, and the Devil.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke record only two places in which Jesus explains the meaning of his death. First, is the exchange in Mark 10:32-45. After Jesus once again talks about his upcoming death and resurrection, a couple of his closest disciples wanted to ensure their place of prominence in Jesus’ reign. Jesus first responds that such a place is reserved only for those who will suffer, and then he admits that those places are also reserved beforehand, insinuating that these disciples might not be the ones chosen.
The disciples didn't like Jesus’ response, so he explains more about his mission and ministry to them:
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
What a contrast! Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Here he even uses a title from the Old Testament, the “Son of Man,” which refers to one who will have dominion over all peoples (Dan 7:13-14). But Jesus insists that his people, following his example, will not lord it over others as so many earthly rulers do. Rather, his dominion is about service; something that John captures well on Thursday night of holy week as Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. The last thing Jesus says in this text is that he came to give his life in the place of others as their ransom. What sin and death have stolen, Jesus will redeem. This is why “Good Friday” is good.
The other place in Matthew, Mark, and Luke where Jesus talks about the meaning of his death is that same Thursday night of holy week, the night he will be betrayed by own of his closest disciples. While they were observing the Feast of the Unleavened Bread in preparation for Passover, Jesus takes from the table some of that bread and a cup of wine, commanding his disciples to eat and drink. "Take it; this is my body. [. . .]. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” [. . .] (Mark 14:22b e 24a).
N. T. Wright refers to the Lord's Supper as a "thin spot” between heaven and earth where past, present, and the future collide as God's people are drawn to the past when Jesus died on “Good Friday,” but also to the future as Jesus promises he will only drink from the cup again in the Kingdom of God. And in between these two things is the present, in which we, together with our church, proclaim Jesus’ death until he comes, participating in his body and blood as his unified, mystical body on earth - his church.
I love theology, but even I must admit that when Jesus wanted to communicate the meaning of his death he didn't give us a lengthy sermon, a heavy theological treatise, or even another parable. Rather, he focused on making sure that we become servants, as he gave himself for others. He also offered us a lasting meal to remind us, body-soul-and-all, that we are one with him and with each other, nourished by him as we await his kingdom in full.
The Friday we remember Jesus’ death is surely holy, but it is also good. So perhaps for our family, living between two worlds as we do, we should call it “Holy and Good Friday.” For that's what it is.