Good Friday - What is it?

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, and is traditionally celebrated as the day Jesus died on the cross. Although we don't know for sure that Friday was the day Jesus was crucified (there are many arguments that it may also have been a Thursday or even a Wednesday), this day was chosen as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for us.

Catholics and Protestants across denominations usually observe the day with solemn services consisting of hymns, Scripture readings, prayer, and retellings of Christ's death on the cross. Some families choose to have a quiet service of remembrance at home. God does not require us to celebrate Good Friday, but it can be a spiritually enriching experience as we remember the pain Jesus went through both before and during His crucifixion. It can also be a preparation for the joy that comes when we celebrate Easter—the day of Jesus' resurrection—on Sunday.

If Good Friday is such a solemn occasion, then why do we refer to it as "good"? Although there was technically nothing good about the day Jesus suffered and died for us, the outcome certainly is! It was the day Jesus became the perfect, sacrificial Lamb who shed His blood for the remission of our sins (Romans 5:8; 6:23; 1 Peter 3:18). This was the greatest act of love known to man—God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place. And because of Jesus' Sunday morning resurrection, those who place their trust in Him believe in a living Savior who will one day return to claim His own (John 14:1–3).

Even if we choose not to celebrate on Good Friday, we should always have Jesus' death and resurrection on our minds and hearts. We can commemorate this throughout the year with prayers of thanksgiving and by celebrating the Lord's Supper, which Jesus commanded His followers to do in order to "proclaim [His] death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Good Friday Calendar

2019 – April 19
2020 – April 10
2021 – April 2
2022 – April 15
2023 – April 7

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