Let us now decode the real meaning of Good Friday and say the fervent Holy Friday prayer.
Meaning of Good Friday (What is Good Friday and Why is it called Good Friday?)
Good Friday, also called “Great and Holy Friday” by Byzantine Christians or “Sorrowful Friday” (Karfreitag) in Germany is the Friday before Easter Sunday that commemorates the painful crucifixion of Jesus. Holy Friday is a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting that focuses on the passion and death of Jesus. We should honor the way our Lord died for our sins.
Why is Good Friday referred to as “good” even though it is a dark event that reminds us of Christ’s suffering, His deep anguish of being abandoned by his Father, His appalling crucifixion, and the injustice of his execution? Why the day is termed “Good Friday” though it is so bad and sorrowful?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) “good” in this context refers to a day or season observed as holy by the church. Some linguistics and historians believe it developed from an older name called “God’s Friday.”
Leaving aside these theories, the fact is Good Friday is “good” because it validates the suffering and death of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). After all, as terrible as that day was, it marked the dramatic climax of God’s plan to save humanity from their sins. Good Friday is “good” because Christ showed His great love for humanity and purchased every blessing from God for every human being.
Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” First Peter 3:18 tells us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus was the decisive turning point for all creation (1 Corinthians 15:3). The Day of Great Friday is when we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. The events on Holy Friday were the defeat of sin, the annihilation of evil, and the triumph over death.
Great and Holy Friday is so dark and so Good as it was when wrath and mercy met at the cross. The wrath of God against sin was poured out on the perfect sacrificial substitute, Jesus Christ. so that forgiveness and salvation would be poured out on humanity. Without Jesus’ suffering, sorrow, and bloodshed on the cross, God will not justify those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26).
Good Friday is “good” as it happened for us to receive the joy of Easter, which is the glorious celebration of Jesus being raised from the dead, marking his victory over sin and death, and paving the way for the resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).
Decoding the Real Meaning of Good Friday
Do you think that the Holy Friday embodies an act of sacrifice or forgiveness of sins, an act of justice or love, or an act of everlasting triumph, or eternal suffering? Here we will try to understand the real meaning of Good Friday.
The definition of Great Friday is not as straightforward as we think.
The purpose of Good Friday is to remember God’s love for humanity, and in return, renewing our faith in God and gratitude for God’s emptying of himself, in love—for all of us, even though we are undeserving.
The meaning of Good Friday is evident in that the demands and righteousness of God coincided with His mercy. The meaning of Holy Friday is that Jesus gave his life for us and took the ultimate pain, and we should honor that and mourn for our transgressions. The meaning of Great and Holy Friday is exemplified in the sacrifice of Jesus, which brings us forgiveness, relief, mercy, salvation, and peace as He took our divine punishment.
The meaning of Holy and Great Friday will become apparent only if we have a deep sorrow of conviction over sin and genuine repentance for our actions. The meaning of Holy Friday lies in forgiving others and praying for those who hate us.
The meaning of Good Friday is key to understanding the concept of redemption as Christ died for our sins as per God’s eternal will and was raised on the third day to give us eternal life. The meaning of Good Friday is clear as it demonstrates God’s eternally good plan to redeem the world from bondage and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.
Let us say the Holy and Great Friday Prayer
We hope that you were able to understand the meaning of Good Friday and where did the name comes from.
Our articles on Lent will help you understand the need for God’s presence in your lives and use this season as a time of repenting, sobriety, refocusing, and renewing. Practice prayer, observe fasting, give up something, and assist those in need.
