April 10, 2020: Good Friday
Ever wonder why it’s called Good Friday when it’s such a dark day in the history of the Christian faith? Some researchers say it used to be called “God’s Day”, but changed into Good Friday, others say it’s because it is good since it’s the day when God’s plan for our salvation happens, even though it’s Jesus’ death. In Germany, the name for the day translates to Sorrowful Friday. But the explanation that makes the most sense is that in older English meaning, the word good meant more like ‘holy’ , so it’s actually “Holy Friday”.
When Jesus was on the cross, he cried out two things towards the end. The first:
Jesus cried out loudly, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani.” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?”
Mark 15: 34 (ERV)
This is when Jesus knows and feels that God can’t help him, and God has forsaken him. For God’s plan of salvation to work, Jesus needed to become all of our sin, and he had to pay that price. When he calls God Eloi–the El part of that name is formal–God Almighty. This is God as Judge, and Jesus is alone and it is worse than the torture he suffered. But then later he cries out again:
Jesus shouted, “Father, I put my life in your hands!”
Luke 23:46 (ERV)
Jesus shouts out to his Father, because the price has been paid, and now Jesus is calling out to his Abba, Father. He is no longer left alone–God, his Father is ready and waiting to gather his spirit. He is no longer forsaken.
