Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, celebrating his suffering and death on the cross as described in Christian tradition.
It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is observed in solemn ceremonies and church services around the world. Good Friday is a day of reflection, penance and prayer for Christians who often fast and attend services centered around Jesus’ sacrifice.
Good Friday, commonly known as Good Friday, is the only day of the year on which no Mass is celebrated. It is a solemn day that calls for fasting and abstinence. Stations of the Cross are popular on Good Friday.
Why we call Good Friday “good”
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Why do we call Good Friday “good” when it is such a dark and gloomy event commemorating the day of Jesus’ suffering and death? What is Good Friday and why do we call Good Friday in Holy Week?
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is a Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death on Calvary. This Christian holiday is also known as Good Friday and Black Friday, writes christianity.com.
When is Good Friday?
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Good Friday is always the Friday immediately before Easter. As part of Holy Week, Good Friday is five days after the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday, which commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
For Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates the most important weekend in world history. Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus as the defining turning point for all of creation. Paul considered it “more important” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, according to what God had promised in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).
On Good Friday, we remember the day when Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). This is followed by Easter, a glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing to a future resurrection for all who are associated with him in faith (Romans 6:5).
Why is it called “Good” Friday?
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However, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions take this approach: for example, in German, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sad Friday.” In English, the origin of the term “good” is debated as follows – some believe that it comes from the older name “God’s Friday”. Whatever the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because Jesus’ suffering and death, however terrible, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.
Likewise, Good Friday is “good” because, however terrible that day was, it had to happen in order to receive the joy of Easter. Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday knowing that it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of justice and peace.
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Good Friday marked the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so good.
Good Friday in the Bible
Good Friday Prophecy: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our crimes; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
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