Don’t you find it strange to call the crucifixion of Christ “Good”? Why would we call the memorial of the tragic death of anyone, good? Some Etymologists say the word good at one time meant  holy, so it would mean Holy Friday. Some say  because of the similarity of the two words “God” and ‘good” the words were confused.

I don’t know if the above reasoning is valid. I am not educated in such matters. What I do know is this. Jesus’ death created heartache, fear and confusion for His followers. Many of the same people who hailed him as their king only days before, now, caught up in a mob mentality, called for his death and the release of a criminal. On that day nothing appeared to be good. It was everything but good.

Three days later Jesus rose from the dead, came out of the grave and visited his followers on numerous occasions over the next 40 days. After his resurrection, when he appeared to his followers, they most often did not recognize him and doubted his appearance. I can only imagine that the “badness” of the previous Friday completely blinded them to the supernatural reality that their dead leader was now indeed their Risen Savior.

How often does the “badness” of our past blind us to the “goodness” of our present? How often are we blinded to our “ever present help in time of need“. With our finite understanding we are blinded to the  purpose and plan of God . Only in hindsight did his followers understand Jesus died for their good. He took pain and punishment for their sake. Jesus’ death was not a tragedy, it was a victory for all of mankind. It was a part of God’s plan.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13