The Greek word for “gospel” means good news — which is exactly why Good Friday is called good. At first glance, it might seem there was nothing good about what Jesus endured. He was betrayed, beaten, and crucified. But in God’s plan, that Friday was the most powerful act of love in history.

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were required for forgiveness, but they were only temporary. Jesus became the perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice, taking the punishment for our sins so we could be made right with God (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His death changed everything — it made a way for us to be with Him forever.

So even though Good Friday is heavy and dark, it’s also a day to reflect on God’s incredible love. And the best part? The story doesn’t end there — Sunday is coming!

(Discussing the crucifixion with your family can also be challenging. Use the article “How To Talk To Your Kids About the Crucifixion” from the Elevation Parent blog as a guide.)