Good Friday

There are some that call the day Jesus died on the cross as “Good Friday”.  How could this day be good?  This was Peter’s thought.

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." - Matthew 16:21-23

Why would Jesus call Peter “Satan”?  Because Peter was being used by the devil to try and stop Jesus from accomplishing His mission to die for the sins of the world.  

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

It is because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, that we are able to enter the kingdom of God and obtain eternal life.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" - Romans 6:3-5

Peter made this clear, for Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom. (Matthew 16:19)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

The good news is not only that Jesus died for our sins, but that He rose again 

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." - Matthew 28:6 

When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (just like the early church did, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives us utterance - Acts 2:4), we have the same power over death and the grave by His Spirit dwelling in us

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:18  

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:11

 

And this is Good News!