Why Good Friday Is Good

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus knew what would happen to Him. “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world” (John 13:1).

a. He knew His suffering. “Let this cup pass from Me” (Matt. 26:39).

b. He knew His disciples would run away (John 18:4).

c. He knew He would die for the world (John 19:28).

d. He knew He would be resurrected (Matt. 16:21).

2. What is good about Good Friday? Salvation.

3. This lesson will show two things in each event: (1) What Jesus accomplished? (2) What can we learn?

B. THE EVENTS OF GOOD FRIDAY

1. THE ARREST (John 18:1-9).

a. Both Jesus and Judas knew the place. “Judas . . . knew the place; for Jesus often met there” (John 18:2).

b. Soldiers came armed.

c. Jesus revealed His glory, i.e., Shekinah. “They were pushed back to the ground” (John 19: 6, ELT).

HE ACCOMPLISHED: Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, tied, and led away. “He was led away as a lamb to the slaughter” (Is. 53:7).

WE LEARN: Humility. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . . became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:5, 8).

2. THREE JEWISH TRIALS: (John 18:13-20).

a. First before Annas, the power behind the throne, Caiaphas, a hot-headed leader. Third, before the Sanhedrin, i.e., a grand jury to determine the legal charge against Jesus, i.e., blasphemy.

HE ACCOMPLISHED: Jesus stood perfect in His silence. “He kept silent and answered nothing” (Mark 14:61). “He opened not His mouth” (Is. 53:7).

WE LEARN: To live and respond in love as did Jesus.

3. THREE POLITICAL TRIALS: First tried before Pilate (John 18:20-32). Second trial before Herod (Luke 23: 6-12). Third trial before Pilate (Luke 23:13-25).

HE ACCOMPLISHED: A perfect Jesus took on Himself our sins. “I find no fault in Him” (John 18:38). “Lamb shall be without blemish” (Ex. 12:5).

WE LEARN: We stand perfect before God in Christ. “Justifieth the ungodly” (Rom. 4:5). “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).

4. BARABBAS SET FREE. “We have a custom . . . release unto you one at the Passover . . . will you therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:39).

HE ACCOMPLISHED: Substitution. The just for the unjust. “He was made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21).

WE LEARN: Freedom. “If the Son shall make you free . . . indeed” (John 8:36).

5. JESUS WAS SCOURGED: “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities” (Is. 53:5).

HE ACCOMPLISHED: His suffering for sin. “He Himself suffered” (Heb. 2:18).

WE LEARN: There is suffering with Christ. “We suffer with Him” (Rom. 8:17).

6. JESUS CROWNED WITH THORNS: “A crown of thorns . . . they put on him a purple robe” (John 19:11).

HE ACCOMPLISHED: Humility. They mocked Jesus with His desire to rule the hearts of people. “Every knee shall bow . . . every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11).

WE LEARN: Do not be hypocritical in our worship.

7. JESUS PRESENTED TO THE MOB: “Behold the man” (John 19:5). Jesus was humiliated. “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death” (Phil. 2:8). The One with all power in the universe did not use it.

HE ACCOMPLISHED: Jesus manifested obedience. “Even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8).

WE LEARN: There is eventual exhortation. “If we suffer (with Him) we shall reign with Him” (2 Tim. 2:12).

C. TO TAKE AWAY

1. God the Father planned every small detail of Jesus’ death.

2. The unbelieving heart naturally hates God and everything that condemns their opposition to God.

3. Even when sinners did what they wanted to do to Jesus, they fulfilled God’s eternal plan. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6). “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him” (Is. 53:10). “Ye were . . . redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ as a lamb . . . before the foundations of the world” (1 Peter 1:18-20).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.