It is Good Friday and I wondered as to, how could a day in which the perfect sinless Son of God was murdered, with excruciating cruelty, be deemed “Good” Friday?

To answer this, we ought not to resort to the speculations of men, but instead we ought to go to the Holy Bible and seek the answer that is divine.

The first chapter of the book of Genesis starts out with the creation account in which the word “good” is mentioned at the end of each day, except that of the day when man was created, for God said it was not good for man to be alone. Man, who was created imago deo (in the image of God) to be a “relationship” being, just as the Triune God  (God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit) is One – One in relationship. But with the disobedience of man, this relationship between God and man was severed and the state of affairs was dire, for sin came in to the world and by sin, death (Romans 5:8). Man who was made as a living soul (Genesis 2:7) was now corrupted and it took the incorruptible Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5) to save man. This is the good news – that while we were yet sinners, God demonstrated his love for us, as Christ died for us (Romans 5:12).

In the last chapter of the book of Genesis, we see that Joseph, the dreamer, now prince of Egypt, responded with love and kindness to his very own brothers, who had schemed to kill him, and who had sold him as a slave. Joseph is even put in prison for false allegations made against him by his master’s wife, forgotten in the prison, till God raises him to become the second in command to the Pharaoh and rule from the palace. Joseph uses the God given wisdom to store food during the time of plenty for the time of need (famine) thereby becoming a means to the salvation of many. When Joseph confides with his brothers, who had failed to recognize him, after his rise to reign, he expresses “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).

Points to ponder: 
God means all things for good (to those who love him and are called according to his purpose). Though man may mean evil against us, God means it for good.

Men meant evil against Jesus and crucified him, being blinded by the evil one (the devil) as Jesus expressed that they (the men, his executioners) did not know what they were doing. But what man intended as evil against Jesus, God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people (who believe in him) and give them life. Since God meant the murder of Jesus, his only begotten Son, unto good, we call this day, wherein we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, as “Good” Friday. This is the good in Good Friday.

Are you one who has believed in this good news? The good news is that God meant good for all of mankind by sending Jesus to save much people alive. Happy Good Friday!

Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.