What’s so ‘good’ about Good Friday?

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

If you’ve ever wondered about that, you’re not alone. 

After all, the day commemorates the day that Jesus died a cruel death — crucifixion on a Roman cross.

A casual evaluation of the term finds it a misnomer, at best. Why not “awful Friday,” ”terrible Friday,” or even “bloody Friday”?

The entrée to Easter weekend has been a somber observance in Christian tradition, not a celebratory one. It sets the stage, however, for perhaps Christendom’s greatest celebration on Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Photo by Alicia Quan on Unsplash

Christians the world over commemorate the day, but it’s not known worldwide as “Good Friday”. Germany, for example, calls the day Karfreitag (“Sorrowful Friday”).

Why, then, the odd monicker? 

Christian scholars have several answers. Some point to the term as a derivation of “God’s Friday”. Others point out what the Bible says was accomplished on that day — Jesus sacrifice in the place of sinners (i.e., He who knew no sin “becoming” sin in order to pay the price for a sinful human race). Still others center the explanation on what the day demonstrated, spiritually, for Christians — God’s love for us, even to the point of the most terrible sacrifice imaginable — that of His Son.

For the faithful, beginning this — the holiest of weekends in Christian tradition — the day remains an indicator of things to come. As a famous sermon put it, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s commin’!”

How have states responded?

You might find it interesting to note that North Dakota is one of only four states west of the Mississippi which declare Good Friday an official Holiday. They also include Texas, Louisiana, and Hawaii.

Others further east also do so, with Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware rounding out the dozen states, nationally, with an official Good Friday holiday.

When one considers the literal meaning of the word “holiday” — “holy day” — perhaps there are few days so fitting of the designation.

With that in mind, Happy Good Friday.