“Good Friday: A Test Of Submissive Obedience!”

“Good Friday: A Test Of Submissive Obedience!”(Mt.27:32-56).
Recently, while worshipping in a congregation, we noticed that a carving of Christ on the pulpit had this writing above Jesus’ head: “RIP.” We all know RIP means “Rest In Peace!” This is surely an innocent error made by the carver, yet we may not know how many sermons have been preached on that pulpit emphasising on a Christ who is alive!
This reminds us that when Jesus was crucified,“Above his head, they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”
Quite often we have seen this writing on pictures or movies showing the crucified Jesus; abbreviated “INRI” We often mistake it to be an English abbreviation, but it is a Greek acronym meaning, “Iesus Nazarene Rex Ioudaios!” Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.
The inscription may have been written as a mockery, and even if it was true, it limits the scope of Jesus’ kingship.
A centurion who saw what happened at that specific moment when Jesus gave up the spirit exclaimed with certainty: “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Our concern today is why we come to commemorate the day Jesus died, yet we call it Good Friday! What is good about this day considering the way Jesus was tortured before being crucified? Imagine how, in excruciating pain, he cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This day is called Good Friday because “it commemorates the day Jesus willingly suffered and died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for” the sins of humanity.
Jésus knew that this day was to come. He made sure it came to pass because he wanted to obey his Father to the end.
The goodness of Good Friday was already feasible on that same day he died.
Firstly, a centurion who saw what happened at that specific moment when Jesus gave up the ghost exclaimed with certainty: “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Secondly, Matthew says when Jesus gave up his spirit, “at that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…and the tombs broke open…many Holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection…”
My friend, this day is good because the death of Christ will raise what is dead in you when Christ is raised on Easter. Jesus died to become the Christ so that we can enjoy the fullness of eternal life with him and in him.
Take note that those who were raised to life were “Holy people.” If there is hope for us to come alive, we should commemorate the day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide us on the path of holiness.
The torn curtain in the temple symbolically opened the way and provided access to the Holy of Holies – the place of God’s presence to all believers!
Good Friday prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to commemorate this day of your death by rededicating our lives to you in humble obedience. Amen!
Have a blessed Good Friday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
03/04/2026.