There seems to be a knee-jerk response on the part of some Christians to the idea of remembering or even acknowledging Good Friday. It usually sounds something like this:

“Why do we need to designate a day to remember the cross? We do it every week on Sunday when we gather as a church, right? We should be remembering Christ’s death as we read the Bible as individuals and families, right? After all, He’s not dead, He’s ALIVE!”

Sure.

But God gave his people celebrations, feasts, days of mourning and days of remembrance for a reason. While we may think that we’re really good at appreciating things consistently on a day-to-day basis, we really aren’t. We are creatures of habit and people of comfort who deem the day doomed if deprived of morning coffee/morning paper/morning whatever. We need holidays to break us from our routines. I never stop appreciating the cross, just as I never stop loving my wife. But on our anniversary, my wife and I take special time to remember the greatest day of our lives. We remember how much we mean to each other and mark the day as a celebration, not because we have been discounting our marriage all year, but because our marriage is worth celebrating.

In the same way, Good Friday isn’t about forgetting the cross all year until Easter weekend. It’s a declaration that the day of our atonement is a day worthy of special remembrance.

Here are some things to keep in mind as we come together this Friday.

Good Friday is Really, Really Good

The term “Good Friday” is a bit dated in that the word “good” used to have a definition more closely associated with “holy” in the English language. Now, while it seems almost irreverent to call the day our savior died “good”, it’s more like the biggest understatement of all time. Jesus went to the cross as the final and perfect sacrifice, taking our sins upon himself, so we could be could be clean and presentable before a holy God. That’s the greatest good that anyone has every done.

Good Friday is Really, Really Old

Christians have been celebrating this day since at least the fourth century. As we join together, we join with them and all other brothers and sisters in Christ throughout history and today who take time to worship and remember the reason why we have grace.

Good Friday Gets Us Ready for Easter

The Resurrection is the zenith of our faith, without it our belief is in vain. The excitement of Easter, though, is superficial without an understanding of the cross. Before Jesus conquered Death, he had to die and suffer in our place. We live out the Gospel when we worship together on Friday and Sunday.

Consider What The Scripture Tells Us

And I, when I came to you, brothers,did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Interesting how the Holy Spirit doesn’t inspire Paul to squeeze in “He’s not dead, He’s alive” in his words here. Also, when explaining the reason and importance of The Lord’s Supper, Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

All Christians agree on the importance of Communion as an ordinance or sacrament of the church. The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul makes it clear, The Lord’s Supper is meant to celebrate and “proclaim” Christ’s death! These are just two of the many examples throughout the New Testament that speak to the importance of focusing on Christ’s death on the cross.

So, join us Friday, April 18th at 6:00 or 7:30pm @ VALLEY Christian Church as we obey God’s Word and celebrate Christ’s crucifixion, death and sacrifice for our sins!