Why Is Good Friday “Good” If It Was So Terrible?

At first glance, calling the day Jesus was crucified “Good Friday” seems strange—maybe even wrong. It was a day filled with betrayal, injustice, pain, humiliation, and death. Jesus, completely innocent, was mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross like a criminal. From a human perspective, it was brutal and heartbreaking. So why do we call it good?

Because what looked like defeat was actually the greatest victory the world has ever seen.

The Depth of the Sacrifice

To understand why Good Friday is good, we have to look at what actually happened on that cross.

Jesus, the Son of God, willingly took the weight of our sin upon Himself. Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities.” On the cross, Jesus bore the punishment we deserved so that we could be forgiven and made right with God.

It wasn’t just the physical pain—Jesus experienced separation from the Father as He carried the sin of humanity. It was the ultimate act of love: to die in our place so we could live.

The Power of the Exchange

Good Friday is “good” because of the exchange that happened that day:

• He took our sin so we could have His righteousness.

• He was punished so we could be pardoned.

• He died so we could have life.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The cross wasn’t a tragedy—it was a rescue mission. And the result is freedom, forgiveness, and eternal life for all who believe.

The Beginning of the End for Death

Good Friday sets the stage for Easter Sunday. Without the cross, there would be no resurrection. But because Jesus laid down His life, He would soon rise in victory over death, sin, and the grave. What seemed like the darkest day in history was actually the moment light began breaking through.

Colossians 2:14-15 tells us that on the cross, Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them.”

In other words, what the world saw as defeat was actually a divine ambush—Jesus was winning a war we couldn’t fight for ourselves.

What It Means for Us Today

Good Friday invites us to stop and reflect on what Jesus did for us—but not just to feel sad or guilty. It’s a day to remember that we are deeply loved, completely forgiven, and forever changed because of the cross.

It means:

• You are not defined by your past.

• You don’t have to carry guilt or shame.

• You don’t have to earn your way to God—Jesus made the way.

• You are free.

So, Why Is Good Friday Good?

Because it was the day love defeated sin.

Because it was the day hope broke through despair.

Because it was the day the Savior died so we could live.

Good Friday is good, not because of what was done to Jesus, but because of what He did for us.

And because of that, our worst days can be turned into good ones too—because He’s already overcome the darkest one.

Have questions or concerns about this topic? Send me a message—I’d be happy to continue the conversation with you.