We often affirm our faith by repeating the Apostles' Creed. And we say, "and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried:" Strangely enough, we remember the day of the crucifixion of Christ as 'Good Friday".

Why is it that we call 'Good Friday' GOOD? Surely it is strange to take a day in which an innocent man was brutally murdered, a day in which the power of justice was turned upside down, and the focus of religion went blind, and label it for all future history, as good, Good Friday. What is so good about judicial murder? What is so good about physical pain and agony? What is so good about innocent suffering and unmerited death? We call it Good Friday, because it was a day as Saint Paul says in Romans 5:2, "but when sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Or, as a new translation has it, "but when sin increased, God's grace increased much more." This is true in all of life where God is involved, but it was especially true on that first Good Friday.

Sin abounded. Jesus had fallen into the hands, not of muggers and hoodlums, or a pack of rascals, but 'clean' hands, the politely washed hands of society's most respected members, ministers, lawyers, statesmen, women of class, people from industry, and other important individuals. It was in the midst of these nice, quiet, peace loving and stable people where sin abounded. This ought to cause us, as we remember the events of Good Friday to stop, take notice, and to take stock of our own lives. For sin abounded, increased so much, that it had succeeded in blinding the minds of the best people in the community, and they had no idea that they were sinning. Indeed, that is the way it was from the beginning, and continues to be, men and women, including us, in revolt against God, and therefore standing condemned before a holy God and banished from His sight forever.

But grace, God's grace did much, much more abound. As in everything, everywhere, and always, sin abounded, yes, but the love of God abounded more. It proved stronger than the brutality of man.

If we learn nothing more from Good Friday, let us remember this, that God's love, God's grace is always greater than our deepest sin.

As we remember the cross, let us remember not only the unfolding of some tragic scene, or listening to the words of a martyr, but seeing once more, how God's grace, His love, works through human weakness, failure and sin, bringing forgiveness, love, healing, peace and joy.

Good Friday is good, yes indeed, because it reminds us of the love of God. And for us who hear it, it is the irresistible love of God. "Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all."

Grace and peace,


Floyd McPhee