This day, as we remember the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, let us reflect and realize why it is, indeed, a Good Friday.

Nawalan ng liwanag ang araw at ang tabing ng Templo’y napunit sa gitna. Sumigaw nang malakas si Jesus, “Ama, sa mga kamay mo’y ipinagkakatiwala ko ang aking espiritu!” At pagkasabi nito, nalagot ang kanyang hininga.

Lucas 23:45–46

Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Him three times. All the disciples scattered out of fear. And the crowd chose the murderer Barabbas over Him who taught, fed, and healed them. Jesus had to face condemnation and the crucifixion alone.

He knew what was going to happen, but did that make it easier for Jesus to go through it? The pain in His body must have paled in comparison with the pain in His heart. As a man, He felt every sting of the whip against His back, the pounding of thick nails into His hands and feet, and the full weight of abandonment. Ang sabi Niya sa Diyos Ama, “ … My God, My God, why have You left Me alone?” (Matthew 27:46, NLV).

By noon time, His body could not take the torture of the cross any longer. Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46, NIV). At that moment, Jesus breathed His last. To His followers, His death looked like defeat. The Master is gone.

Today is Good Friday. But why call a day “good” when the things that happened were bad? The answer lies in the meaning of the death of Jesus. Finally, the price of our redemption has been completely paid. The blood of the perfect Lamb of God has been shed to wash away all our sins. As Jesus Himself said, “ … It is finished” (John 19:30, NIV). Salvation has come.

Please join us again tomorrow as we continue our series on “The Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.”