As a child in a family where my mother taught us about Jesus Christ, I always puzzled over why we called it "Good Friday." Always having a philosophical bent, I mulled it over, got an answer and moved on with my life.

Until my first "Easter" as a Christian.

You see, being raised in a home where my mother trusted Christ and taught us from the Bible didn't make me a Christian. God used three years of gospel teaching from a faithful congregation to strip away years of quiet rebellion. Christmas that year was great.

Easter was better.

I prefer to call it "Resurrection Sunday" now, lest the Cadbury bunny take first place over the only miracle that ever really mattered. It was a a GOOD Friday that set it up, and not just from our persecptive. Last week in the  Palm Sunday message (available online) from John 12:20-33 we saw how Jesus wrestled over how to pray about His upcoming crucifixion and death: "What shall I say? Save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour." (v. 28). Indeed, Jesus saw the cross as humiliation, but a humiliation that ended in glory: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." (v. 23)

The point: God was pleased to make atonement for you at the cross. He was pleased to conquer death for you through Christ's resurrection. And it was God's good pleasure to magnify His own character- His justice, love, grace, mercy and holiness- through the death and resurrection of His Son.

Now is the hour. Drink it in.

Serving our Risen King,

PW