04/03/2026
From Pastor Steve-
What’s So Good About Good Friday?
When I was a teenager, I started paying attention to what Easter was really about. Before that, I thought Easter was all about bunnies, eggs, candy, and a new pair of jeans.
Once I actually began to understand the holiday, I ran into the term “Good Friday.” We all know that’s the day Jesus died on the cross. At first, I had no idea why Christians would call it “good.”
It seemed like such a waste. What potential Jesus had! What could have happened if He had lived a long life? I was in that crowd because I didn’t yet understand the plan. Here it is:
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
— Matthew 20:18–19
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
— John 3:14–17
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”
— 1 Peter 3:18
It was the sacrificial death of the only truly righteous man who ever lived — taking my place in judgment so that I could take His place in reward. All of that is good for me. But was it good for Jesus?
When it comes to Christian holidays, I try to be sensitive to those who are struggling. Holidays can be especially hard when you’re walking through pain — betrayal, the loss of a spouse or friend, the death of a loved one, an empty seat at the table, an ache in your heart.
One of the wonderful things about following Jesus is that we don’t have a Lord “who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.” All the men who followed Jesus abandoned Him. He had given of Himself for years, and in the end, they all walked away. Have you ever experienced that — people you care about walking away? Jesus did.
Two of His close friends openly betrayed Him: one with a kiss for the crowd, the other after loudly professing his loyalty. “Jesus, you’re the best!” … “I don’t have anything to do with the man!” Have you ever experienced that? Jesus did.
In fact, on that very day, the only two people who defended Jesus at all barely knew Him. One condemned Him to death to please the crowd after a tepid defense. The other died not long after Him on a cross next to His.
Have you lost a child or a spouse? The Father lost His Son that day.
So yes — that day is absolutely good for me. Jesus took my sin. But was it good for the Lord?
All of this is to say: the Lord gets you. He is the Comforter. He comes alongside us and consoles us when we need it most.
That was a pretty bleak picture, so here’s the good news: Jesus Himself considered it a good day. The Bible says that for "the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame."
The men who abandoned Him were that joy. All of the disciples, except one, were restored. Judas had been poisoned by his own thoughts (or by the influence of others) and, sadly, never returned. (There’s a hard thing to handle). But for the rest, shame became joy, fear was replaced with unshakable trust, turmoil was traded for “a peace that passes understanding,” and the Man they betrayed became the One they loved above all others — even above themselves.
You were that joy too. Jesus on the cross, steady, eyes unflinching, looking down through the long ages at everyone who would follow Him — including you.
It’s Friday… but Sunday’s coming.
-Pastor Steve Whinery,
Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities
