Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Friday is the day Christians commemorate and show respect for the pain and suffering Jesus endured, and ultimately the death of his human body, during his crucifixion on Calvary. It sounds strange to call such an event “good,” and there are different theories on how that came about. Some think it’s a corruption from the phrase “God’s Friday.” Others think it's a reference to another of its names, “Holy Friday”, because “good” used to mean “holy.” Whichever you believe, they all point to the importance of remembering the passion and crucifixion of Jesus.

But Good Friday is so much more than remembering the loss of Jesus’ life. It's also about reflecting on how one death brought life to the entire world. The cross represents the mercy so graciously displayed by Jesus to save humanity from itself. The moment gave every person the opportunity to join Jesus in paradise.

Here is a perfect example shown by one of the men who died on a cross next to Jesus.

Luke 23:39-43
³⁹One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
⁴⁰But the other criminal protested, “Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
⁴³And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This man is the first account of anyone truly believing in the intercession of Jesus. It is also the only known, last-minute salvation that occurred in the Bible. The criminal who recognized he deserved death for his actions was freed from his sins through his faith in Christ. If salvation were based on works, then none of us could earn God’s love or experience his promises. We are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus alone.

This article was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.

Celebrate Good Friday by attending Good Friday Services in person at the Perrysburg or Findlay Campus.