Putting the "Good" in "Good Friday" - a Reflection

We celebrated Easter, or Resurrection Day, on this past Sunday, April 16th, 2017. The Friday before Easter is most commonly known as "Good Friday," but what actually makes it good? After all, isn't this just a commemoration of the day that Jesus, the holy and blameless son of God, was brutally and mercilessly murdered on the cross?

The truth is, after living a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22), Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. Jesus himself said, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."