Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Though the “Good” in Good Friday is often a source of confusion, many believe “Good” simply means “holy.” Others believe it was originally referred to as “God Friday.”

Whatever the case, Good Friday commemorates not only the pain and suffering of Christ, but his willingness to endure it. As horrible as it was, it was the culmination of God’s plan to save his people. Friday was necessary for us to know and receive the joy of Easter.

Isaiah 53:1-5: Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.