Have you ever wondered why we call this day “Good Friday”? Why do we call a day that commemorates extreme suffering, intense sorrow and tortuous death “good”? It is good because as terrible as the suffering and death of Jesus were, this was the crucial point in the history of the world; God’s plan of salvation was complete. Our debt was paid in full. While we solemnly observe the crucifixion, we also celebrate Jesus’ words, “It is finished.”
So what exactly was finished? Much! The forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), salvation from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9), the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 10:4), the fulfillment of prophets (Matthew 5:17), and the destruction of the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14). The debt of the sin of all humanity was paid in full (Colossians 2:13-14).
So you can see that through the horror of the events at the cross, it truly is Good Friday! God’s plan of salvation has been completed, is effective today and will remain effective forever. It is Good Friday because “It is finished!”