EASTER: WHAT IT SIGNIFIES!
EASTER:
The New Testament states that the resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of the Christian faith. The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God and is cited as proof that God will judge the world in righteousness
GOOD FRIDAY: WHAT IT MEANS
Good Friday, which marks the day when Jesus Christ was crucified and died in Calvary, falls on the Friday right before Easter. Across the world, Christians observe this solemn day with humility and reverence by remembering the passion and sacrifice of Christ.
In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is important to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation.
In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.
This day is symbolic of the win of good over evil because it is believed that Christ died in 33 AD for the sake of humanity; he bore the sacrifice on behalf of the rest of humankind and is considered the bridge between God and mortals. It is written in gospels that Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Christ, betrayed him for thirty silver coins to the Sanhedrin. Accused of blasphemy, Christ was sentenced to death and crucified with two criminals.
“‘It is finished’; and he bowed his head and handed over his spirit.”
On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Saviour, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.