Why is Good Friday called “Good Friday”? Let’s see.
Back in college, once my friends wished me “Happy Good Friday”. They even brought me a cake.
The gesture was thoughtful and sweet. I accepted their wishes and the cake too (it was delicious!).
But this left me wondering since it has “Good” associated to its name, Good Friday is thought to be a happy day, a festival. Many still don’t know that it is a dark day, a day of mourning in the remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The same happened with my friends. They came to me cheerfully, looking forward to wishing me on a festival. I was excited to see them. After all, they waited for 3 hours in the April sun to wish me as I attended the mass. Once the greetings were exchanged, I explained the meaning of Good Friday. I will do it here again.
Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?
We call Good Friday “good” even though it commemorates the day of suffering and death for Jesus. So when it is such a bleak event, why it is called Good Friday?
As we can conclude from its name, Good Friday is observed on a Friday across the continents. This religious event is observed before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians fast, pray, and remember Christ’s excruciating persecution. It is known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or Easter Friday.
So, why is it called Good Friday when Jesus was crucified?
The suffering and death of Jesus Christ marked the completion of God’s plan. It was the death blow in God’s glorious plan to redeem the world from the bondage of sin. The erstwhile people used innocent animals as sacrificial offerings. So, God sacrificed His Son as an innocent offering to wash people’s sin once for always.
Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26).
Are you still wondering, what is good about Good Friday? With Jesus’ blood, God poured forgiveness and salvation on mankind. The Holy cross is the convergence of terrible suffering and God’s forgiveness.
We are blessed by divine forgiveness and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment.
“For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday. He knew it led to our salvation, His resurrection, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace. That’s why Good Friday is so dark yet so Good.
So, when the question pops up in your mind – why is it called Good Friday if Jesus died on this day, know that mankind was forgiven for sins on this day/ Also, God’s mercy, love, and judgment came together on Good Friday.
Significance of Good Friday
This day is known for commemorating the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It also marks the passion of Christ and His death at Cavalry. Simply put, God’s love coincided with His mercy at the holy cross. The Good Friday story elucidates the popular Christian belief. In history, it is marked as the most momentous weekend.
So, why do Christians call the day Jesus died, Good Friday?
On Good Friday Christians remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day when Jesus was resurrected. This heralded His victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).
People fast and visit church mass from 12 noon to 3 pm. These timings are selected as it is believed that Jesus was crucified by the time. His 7 statements are discussed in the mass. Jesus spoke these statements while still there on the cross.
Paul considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).
What is the Good Friday History?
The origin of Good Friday dates back to the time when Jesus was arrested and persecuted.
An evening before Good Friday, Jesus had the Last Supper with His disciples. He told them that they should expect His death. He even told them that the one who will betray Him is eating on the table.
Jesus also told His disciples that after His death, if they ate bread and drank wine, it will be in the remembrance of His suffering and the gift to mankind.
The same evening, one of his disciples – Judas Iscariot betrayed him. He helped the royal soldiers find Jesus in Gethsemane.
And He said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”. (Matthew 26:28)
This is now strongly believed and remembered at every Holy Communion.
Jesus had to carry his cross to the site of execution (assisted by Simon of Cyrene). There, he was crucified along with two criminals.
Since then, Good Friday is observed.
Why is Good Friday celebrated on different dates every year?
The event can occur any day from the mid of March to April end. As Easter shifts its dates of celebration, Good Friday has to change its dates as well.
It depends on the lunar calendar, specifically the first full moon to occur after the spring equinox. The following Friday, Good Friday is observed and the Easter Sunday follows.
When is Good Friday this year?
Good Friday 2022 will be on April 15th.
Good Friday Facts
Since Good Friday doesn’t have fancy décor, menu variety, and loud celebrations associated to it, people ask “What is Good Friday and why do we celebrate it?”
As this question is answered above, let’s take time to look into some facts about it. Now we know that Christians mourn the crucifixion of Jesus Christ across the world. But their customs and traditions may vary. So, here are few lesser-known facts about Good Friday.
- The very first Good Friday was on 3rd April, 33 A.D. This is established by authors Andreas Köstenberger and Justin Taylor, who did their history homework dedicatedly.
- Many scholars opine that nails were driven into Christ’s writs, not His palms.
- The Christ sacrificed His flesh on Good Friday (as it is known). So, people refrain from eating meat on Good Friday but eat fish. The latter is considered a different flesh type. And preferred over meat on Good Friday.
- Public dancing on this day is banned in Germany.
- It is believed that if a baby is born on Good Friday and baptized on Easter Sunday they will have the gift of healing.
- The Thursday before Good Friday is known as Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. Churches conduct mass services in the evening. The day denotes the commandment that Jesus gave at the Last Supper.
- Hot cross buns are delicious treats. They are believed to bring good luck. No wonder, these are traditionally eaten on Good Friday.
- It is a superstition in Jamaica that buns baked on this day never spoil. These protect home from fire and shipwrecks.
- In 1964, Good Friday fell on March 27; the state of Alaska was severely jolted by an earthquake.
- In Central America, the unique art of alfrombras or religious art made out of colorful sawdust is seen. Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are adorned with this art.
- The Irish mark eggs with a holy cross. Each family member eats one on Easter Sunday. It brings good health and luck in the next year.
- All over the world, churches ring in the special day with 33 bells’ tolls. It is done in remembrance of Christ’s years on Earth. The bells’ tolls also commemorate his death.
- On Good Friday in 1930, BBC radio announced, “There is no news.” Piano music was played for the entire day.
So now you know, why is Good Friday called “Good Friday”?
The main objective of this pious day is to mourn the suffering that Jesus went through by fasting and prayers. Churches in the world conduct the 3-hour service. There are processions at some places that demonstrate what Christ went through to save people and His death. Usually, people believe in guardian angels to be saved. But with Jesus’ blood, God saved mankind in the most loving way.
Have a blessed Good Friday!
