What’s So Good About Good Friday?

Good Friday will be observed on April 18. It is one of the most important days for Christians all over the world, including here in Nigeria. 

On this day, Christians remember the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for the sins of the world. Even though the day is about pain and suffering, it is called “Good Friday” because Christians believe Jesus’ death brought forgiveness, hope, and salvation to the world.

What Is Good Friday?Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is the day Christians remember how Jesus suffered and died on a wooden cross at a place called Calvary.

He gave up His life so that we could be saved from sin. His death was part of God’s plan to save humanity. After Jesus died, He was buried.

But three days later, on Easter Sunday, He rose from the dead. This is what makes the weekend of Good Friday and Easter the most important time in the Christian calendar.

Why Is It Called “Good” Friday?You may wonder, why call such a sad day “Good”? Shouldn’t it be called something like “Sad Friday” or “Suffering Friday”? The word “Good” in Good Friday doesn’t mean happy. It means holy, special, or important. Some people believe it originally came from the term “God’s Friday.”

Whatever the origin, it’s called Good Friday because something good came out of something painful. Even though Jesus died a painful death, Christians believe it brought something wonderful: a chance for everyone to be forgiven and made right with God. Without Jesus’ death, there would be no Easter, no resurrection, and no hope of eternal life.

What Happened on Good Friday?The Bible tells us that Jesus was arrested after having a last meal with His disciples. He was taken before the Jewish leaders and later handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

The crowd asked for Jesus to be crucified, and Pilate gave the order. Jesus was mocked, beaten, and made to carry His cross to a hill called Golgotha. He was nailed to the cross between two criminals and died after several hours.

At the moment He died, the sky went dark, and the curtain in the temple tore in two—a powerful sign of what had just happened. Christians believe Jesus’ death paid the price for all our sins. That’s why Good Friday is both sad and powerful.

How Do Christians Mark Good Friday?On Good Friday, many Christians attend church services where they read from the Bible, pray, sing hymns, and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. Some people fast (stop eating for a while), while others avoid meat or keep quiet as a sign of respect.

In Nigeria, churches may hold plays or reenactments of the events of Good Friday. It’s a time to remember, reflect, and prepare for the joy of Easter Sunday.

Why It Still Matters in 2025In today’s world where life can be hard, money is tight, and people are searching for hope—Good Friday is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, something good can still happen.

It teaches love, sacrifice, and the power of new beginnings. Good Friday in 2025 invites us to slow down and remember what Jesus did, and to hold on to the hope that Easter brings.

“By His wounds, we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5
That is the message of Good Friday—pain turned into peace, suffering turned into salvation. So while the day is heavy, it is also full of meaning. That’s why we call it Good Friday.