When I was a child I would notice certain things around Easter time that made an impact on me that still affect me today.

For instance, on Good Friday it always seemed to rain or storm around 3:00 pm in the afternoon. The gloomy weather seemed to continue on Saturday with hazy skies. Then, on Sunday morning the sun would be out, the weather would be gorgeously warm and the birds would be, in effect, singing their praises to the risen Lord. For much of my childhood, this would happen. Today, not so much. Is it because I don't notice it anymore? No. I still look for the signs of mourning in the weather on Good Friday and the signs of rejoicing on Easter morning. Is it due to the change in our environment? Perhaps. I like to think though, that God knew what would have an impression on me and it was for my benefit and those of my friends, who waited for these events each spring as the weather phenomenons they were.

When I think of Good Friday therefore, I wonder why was it named Good Friday? Why not Sad Friday, or something that would better describe the events of what Jesus went through that day? Before He was even put on the cross He was scourged with a whip that left His body a bloody pulp of flesh. Why Good? What is good about a crucifixion? Certainly, at the time Jesus would no doubt agree that there was nothing 'good' about being crucified. A horrible way to die, the victim was nailed at the hands and feet with spikes that were 3-5 inches long. Pain would radiate up and down their legs and arms. No position would bring them relief. I imagine they would feel as if they were suffocating.

Jesus hung on the cross from 9:00 in the morning until he died at 3:00 in the afternoon. His mother watched him suffer and die. No doubt wondering why it was happening.

So why did it happen? For you and for me. His death resulted in our salvation. How is that possible? Because He defeated death! He rose from the grave on Easter morning and as a result our sins, our slate was wiped clean. So is Good Friday - good? For humanity it should be the most honored day of the year.

He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay.