As a much younger child I used to wonder what was “good” about Good Friday. After all, that was the day Jesus died on the cross. There were no celebrations, and no easter eggs, just hot cross buns. It was only as I grew older that I came to understand what was good about it. Good Friday is a Good News story for dark days.
Luke’s Gospel, as you would expect, contains an account of Jesus’ death on the cross. While Matthew and Mark (the other “synoptic” gospels) focus on how terrible Jesus’ death was, Luke focuses on three miracles that occur during Jesus’ suffering on the cross for our sins that show how it was a Good Friday. They are a terrible darkness, a curtain torn in two, and a gentile conversion. Good News on a dark day, Good News for dark days until Christ’s return.
The first miracle Luke records during the crucifixion of Jesus was a terrible darkness for three hours from noon until 3pm (v.44). Since Jesus died at the Passover which occurs on a full moon, an eclipse could not be the answer (moon is in the wrong place) and anyway, full eclipses last only a few minutes. So this was a supernatural event on a day like no other.
Why darkness? In an earthly sense, the crucifixion was an evil injustice, and so darkness is appropriate. It was also a day of sadness, as Creation wept for the Father’s Son (cf. Amos 8:9-10). It was also a day of judgement, just as darkness fell on Egypt (Ex. 10:21-3) God’s judgement for our sin was falling on Jesus (cf. Zeph. 1:14-15, Joel 2:30-31). Darkness showed that Jesus was suffering God’s judgement for our sins.
The second miracle Luke records is the tearing of the temple curtain, or veil (v.45). This was a 3 metre high curtain in the Temple. Tearing it was not a simple matter. It represented the distance which sin placed in the relationship between God and his people, as it closed off the Most Holy Place in the Temple itself, where God’s presence dwelt with his people (Ex. 26:31-37, 40:34-8). Only the High Priest entered, and then once a year (Lev. 16, Heb. 9:1-9).
Why then, is the temple curtain tearing a miracle? At 3pm, as Jesus was uttering his final words, and in the temple the Passover sacrifices were being slaughtered, the curtain was torn from top to bottom. No longer were God’s People restricted from entering into God’s presence because of their sin; it had been dealt with by Jesus on the Cross offering the once and final sacrifice for sin (Heb. 9:26). The torn veil showed that Jesus’ suffering gave us entry to God’s presence.
The third miracle Luke records was the conversion of the centurion. Jesus, trusting in God, cried out “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” and laid down his life (v.46, cf. Ps. 31:5). When the centurion who was watching over proceedings saw this, he “praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’” (v.47). Only a miracle in the heart could take a cold-hearted gentile centurion, and turn his heart to praise God and proclaim Jesus’ innocence of any crime! Jesus’ suffering enables sinners to repent and praise God.
This is especially so when we compare the centurion’s reactions to that of others present. It seems that crowds had assembled to watch Jesus’ death, hoping for some spectacle. Instead they went away with “beating their breasts” (v.48), perhaps with grief at what they had seen.
As for Jesus’ closest followers, they were still trying to make sense of it all. “And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things” (v.49). They were consumed with grief for someone they loved, yet also saw miracles taking place. They did not understand the events, or comprehended Jesus’ predictions coming true. It was Friday, but Sunday was coming. The dark day would become a good day, in the light of Jesus’ resurrection.
Three miracles, three pictures of how that terrible Friday is Good Friday for us. Darkness showing Jesus’ suffering God’s judgement in our place. A torn curtain showing Jesus’ suffering, allowing us to enter God’s presence. A centurion convert, showing Jesus’ suffering enables sinners like us to repent and praise God.
Good News from a dark day for dark days like ours. Dark days because our sinfulness still causes us to stumble. Dark days because the world still opposes the message of Jesus, and in different ways and means attacks the Church to try and suppress the message. Dark days because we still await Jesus’ return to put an end to this evil age, and bring to full flower the righteous reign of the age to come.
It is Friday, but Sunday is coming. Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Our sin is dealt with, our entry to God’s presence assured. Good News for a Dark Day.
