How Friday Changes Everything

By Trisha Priebe Apr 8, 2020 3 Min Read

This weekend we’ll celebrate Easter.

On a Friday night two thousand years ago, chaos and uncertainty reigned. Jesus had just died, and His disciples immediately went into hiding for fear of their lives. Followers of Jesus grieved in their homes and waited with anxious hearts, asking questions like—

Can Jesus fix this mess? Is Jesus Who He says He is? Is there hope?

The first Good Friday was the most horrible day in history, but it’s also the reason you and I have hope right now. We’re asking many of the same questions Jesus’ followers asked so long ago.

So here’s how Friday changes everything—

3 Things We Know for Sure because of Good Friday

1. Jesus understands your pain.

In His kindness, Jesus entered into the fullness of human dysfunction when He unjustly suffered the wrath of God on our behalf. No human suffering—before or after—has been more undeserved or gone more unresolved, and yet Jesus embraced it for our good and His glory. “For we do not have a high priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). He understands.
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2. Jesus keeps His word.

Not once has Jesus failed to come through for His people. Good Friday was the most extraordinary example that Jesus will do what He says He’ll do, even at great cost to Himself. In response, we honor God by believing His promises. He says He’ll never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and He promises to meet every one of our needs (Philippians 4:19). He can be trusted.
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3. Jesus makes a way.

Because He was forsaken, we can be forgiven. Because He was helpless, we can have hope. Christianity is compelling precisely because it doesn’t waste an ounce of suffering for those who know Jesus. There is not one example of pain in your life over which God is unable or unwilling to write “GOOD.” He is masterful at making a way when it looks bleak. He’ll make all things right.

We can face today, tomorrow, and whatever outcomes this pandemic brings because God wrote the word “good” over the worst day in human history. And He’s equally committed to writing “good” over the worst days of our lives.

The same hope that existed for followers of Jesus in the dim light of Resurrection morning will be true for us this weekend and every weekend until we see Christ face to face.

Don’t lose hope. Easter is coming.