People around the world will observe Good Friday on April 2 this year. This day carries a great deal of significance and history for Christians all around the globe. This day falls before Easter to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary Hills.
Good Friday 2021: History and Significance
According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified to death on this day in the most brutal way. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
On this day, the royal soldiers, led by Judas Iscariot, arrested the son of God in order to be interrogated by the high priest, Caiaphas. Judas Iscariot was previously a devotee of Jesus but betrayed him after being bribed. Following the interrogation, the high priest condemned Jesus for blasphemy and ordered for the sentence of death.
The Bible says that he was beaten, tortured, and made to carry his own cross before being crucified on it. Good Friday also marks the end of over a month of fasting called Lent. It is a period during which Christians fast, pray and give alms.
Why it is called ‘Good Friday’
Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the one and only perfect God-man, that his death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for sin and that through Jesus, our own sins can be forgiven. Consequently, when we accept Jesus Christ’s payment for sin, he washes away our sin and restores our right standing with God; God’s mercy and grace make salvation possible and we receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. These beliefs explain why the date of Jesus’ crucifixion is considered a “Good” Friday.
In short despite it being a terrible day, it paved the way for the salvation of mankind as Jesus resurrected and came back to life two days later i.e. on Sunday. Christians marked it as ‘Good’ as a symbol of victory of good over evil.
There is another belief that it is originated from the term ‘God’s Friday.’ Others interpret ‘Good’ as ‘holy’ and therefore call it ‘Good Friday.’
