On a day like today some two thousand years ago, the only truly innocent man in all of human history was murdered upon a Roman cross.
It was an unjust day.
It was a cruel day.
It was a dark day.
This innocent man was scourged with a whip meant to rip flesh, had thorns pressed maliciously into his head, was spit upon, ridiculed, and beaten beyond recognition, all as he was led to die a slow, torturous death.
Why would we call this day good? There is but one reason. This God-man—who is innocent beyond any possible doubt—took the place of an entire humanity lost to darkness—"The righteous for the unrighteous" (1 Peter 3:18)—and died an unjust death to reconcile us back to God (Romans 5:10). Everything we did to him was hideously evil. Everything he did for us was undeservingly good.
Take a moment today—the day we call Good Friday—to meditate on his goodness toward you.
Scripture for Meditation
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:21-22).
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for your goodness on Good Friday. It was a goodness I did not deserve; a goodness that has brightened the darkest of days. May all the redeemed praise you, our Good Shepherd, for laying down your life for the sheep.