WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY?

The last three words from the cross, that were spoken by Jesus were, “It is finished.” The single greatest sacrifice in all of history was finished. And I’m sure His disciples in that moment thought that they were finished. I'm sure they thought that this man known as Jesus was finished; that all of His miracles were finished; that His influence was finished; that their ragtag group of followers were finished. But it wasn’t. In fact, it was just beginning—and it was a good beginning.

Jesus died for our past and provided forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died for our present, so that in this moment we can have peace with God. Jesus died for our future, so that when we die, we will be present with the Lord. And all of that can only be described one way—good.  

Hebrews 12 it says, “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross...” Jesus endured the cross knowing it would lead to His resurrection, our salvation, and our peace with God. And all of that can only be described one way—good. 

Isaiah 53:4-5 says, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 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.” “The punishment that brought us peace was on him.”

JESUS OFFERS PEACE

Peace with God (spiritual peace).

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1).

Peace with ourselves (internal peace).

“Peace to you” (John 20:21). Christ died and then rose from the dead to be able to supernaturally impart peace to you and me. 

Peace with others (external peace).

“I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

In the darkness we were waiting

Without hope, without light

'Til from Heaven You came running

There was mercy in Your eyes

To fulfill the law and prophets

To a virgin came the word

From a throne of endless glory

To a cradle in the dirt

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

To reveal the kingdom coming

And to reconcile the lost

To redeem the whole creation

You did not despise the cross

For even in your suffering

You saw to the other side

Knowing this was our salvation

Jesus for our sake you died

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

And the morning that You rose

All of Heaven held its breath

'Til that stone was moved for good

For the Lamb had conquered death

And the dead rose from their tombs

And the angels stood in awe

For the souls of all who'd come

To the Father are restored

And the church of Christ was born

Then the Spirit lit the flame

Now this gospel truth of old

Shall not kneel, shall not faint

By His blood and in His name

In His freedom I am free

For the love of Jesus Christ

Who has resurrected me

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

Praise forever to the King of Kings

I hear the Savior say

"Thy strength indeed is small

Child of weakness, watch and pray

Find in Me thine all in all"

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power and Thine alone

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete

"Jesus died, my soul to save"

My lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

He washed it white as snow

He washed it white as snow

Oh, praise the One who paid my debt

And raised this life up from the dead

Oh, praise the One who paid my debt

And raised this life up from the dead

Oh, praise the One who paid my debt

And raised this life up from the dead

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise the One who paid my debt

And raised this life up from the dead

Cause Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed me white as snow

How great the chasm that lay between us 

How high the mountain I could not climb

In desperation, I turned to heaven

And spoke Your name into the night

Then through the darkness, Your loving kindness

Tore through the shadows of my soul

The work is FInished, the end is written

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Who could imagine so great a mercy?

What heart could fathom such boundless grace?

The God of ages stepped down from glory

To wear my sin and bear my shame

The cross has spoken, I am forgiven

The King of kings calls me His own

Beautiful Savior, I'm Yours forever

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There's salvation in Your name

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Then came the morning that sealed the promise

Your buried body began to breathe

Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion

Declared the grave has no claim on me

Then came the morning that sealed the promise

Your buried body began to breathe

Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion

Declared the grave has no claim on me

Jesus, Yours is the victory

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There's salvation in Your name

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There's salvation in Your name

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Jesus Christ, my living hope

Oh God, You are my living hope