This Friday is called “Good Friday” when Christians remember the day the Lord Jesus Christ died. Why is the word “good” used when we remember the agonising death of a man who was guilty of no crime? The day was truly good because when Jesus died, he offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins. At the beginning of history there was a dark, tragic day when our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God’s command. God had clearly told them that if they disobeyed his command not to eat the forbidden fruit they would surely die. Because of what did, they and all those descended from them, died. By his death Jesus, who is God’s beloved Son, paid our debts. Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

There were two other men who were crucified on the same day as Jesus, both were criminals who had been sentenced to death. As he was dying one of the men was very angry and bitter. He hurled insults at everyone including Jesus saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” It is tragic when anyone who is near to death is angry with God and turns away from him. This man made the grievous mistake of blaming God, and other people, for how his life had turned out. He refused to face up to the truth and thought, “It wasn’t my fault!”

The other criminal was very different. He rebuked the man who was insulting Jesus, saying “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” He accepted his personal responsibility for what he had done and accepted that his punishment was just. He “feared God” and knew that soon he would stand before him in judgement. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There was another man, Barabbas, who had been condemned to die that day. He had committed murder in an uprising against the Roman authority. Pilate, the Roman Governor, knew that Jesus was innocent, and offered the crowd to release him but they shouted, “Away with him! Release Barabbas to us!” So guilty Barabbas was set free and innocent Jesus died on the cross instead. This Good Friday many Christians will sing, “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned he stood, sealed my pardon with his blood: Hallelujah, what a Saviour!”