A Good Death

“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” ~Mark 15:37

What might best be described as the most tragic, heinous, and wicked moment in the history of humanity is commonly called “good” by most Christians — Good Friday, which marks the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Why is something so apparently bad called good? 

Jesus’ death is the climax of His estate of humiliation. It’s not the end of it. No, He must still be buried and remain in the grave for three days. But as far as the lowest and worst moment of His incarnation, His crucifixion and death stands atop the list of most humiliating. Here is the King of glory, hanging naked on a Roman cross, His clothes torn in pieces by a band of greedy soldiers, His pain mocked by guards, His character derided by those passing by, and the religious leaders of the day ridiculing Him for every word He had spoken. He is battered, beaten, and betrayed, left only with the company of criminals to share in His misery. And this is just the edge of His suffering. 

Whilst hanging on that cross for those long six hours, Jesus experienced the full wrath of God deserved by each of His people for their sins. He took the entire weight of punishment for you and for me — a just punishment, which we have earned in our sinful rebellion against God. He drank the cup of God’s wrath. He became a curse for us. He died in our place. And we call this good?

Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of His people seems to be anything but good for Him. He suffered. He was humiliated. He bore our griefs. He was pierced for our transgressions. He died and was buried in our place. Yet we know that He did this for the joy that was set before Him, out of the eternal love He has for His people. This means that for us — for the sheep of His pasture — it is the greatest good we can ever know, for by it we have been freed from the punishment we deserve, and now, by faith, we know the full love of God — a love so deep and bottomless it could fill a billion oceans and be no closer to running out then when it first began. 

Christian, as you contemplate the significance of Good Friday this year, take a moment to remember that this good done for you by Christ cost Him dearly. His love for you was so great that He willingly suffered the wrath, willingly endured the shame, willingly endured the curse that we might be made partakers in eternal life together with Him in glory. His atoning sacrifice was perfect, granting to all who turn to Him in faith forgiveness of sins and the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

Good Friday still seems like strange nomenclature to apply to the day on which our Savior died. But His death was for us a good death. And because of it, we will live a blessed life, forever.

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor