As we navigate Holy Week, Good Friday stands as a day of profound significance. While the world might see only suffering and defeat in the cross, through the lens of Pentecostal faith, we perceive something far deeper: a pivotal moment of spiritual warfare, ultimate sacrifice, and triumphant victory secured through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Good Friday recounts the physical horrors Jesus endured – the betrayal, the unjust trials, the scourging, the agonizing crucifixion. We acknowledge this intense suffering, not just as historical fact, but as the necessary path He willingly walked. He wasn’t merely a victim; He was the Lamb of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit throughout His life, now entering the final battle against sin, death, and the powers of darkness.
Why Do We Call This Day of Agony “Good”?
From a Pentecostal standpoint, the “goodness” of Good Friday is multi-layered and deeply powerful:
- The Power of the Blood: This is central. We believe the shed blood of Jesus wasn’t just a symbol, but possessed divine power. Hebrews 9:22 states, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” On the cross, Jesus’ blood was poured out, providing:
- Cleansing: Washing away our sins, making us righteous before God (1 John 1:7).
- Redemption: Buying us back from the slavery of sin and the dominion of Satan (Ephesians 1:7).
- Access: Opening the way directly into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19).
- Overcoming: Giving believers power over the Accuser (Revelation 12:11).
- Substitutionary Atonement: Jesus took our place. He bore the wrath and judgment we deserved for our sins. He became sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This wasn’t just a legal transaction; it was a profound act of substitutionary love.
- Defeat of Satanic Powers: While it looked like evil was triumphing, the cross was actually the site of Satan’s ultimate defeat. Colossians 2:15 vividly describes how God “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Jesus’ death nullified the enemy’s claim on humanity.
- Foundation for Healing and Deliverance: Drawing from Isaiah 53:5 (“by his stripes we are healed”), many Pentecostals see the physical suffering of Jesus as intrinsically linked to the provision for physical healing and deliverance from bondage. The cross is the foundation for the full restoration God desires for us – spirit, soul, and body.
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
Jesus lived His life in the power of the Spirit. The cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) speaks to the profound spiritual agony of bearing sin’s separation from the Father. Yet, it was through the eternal Spirit that He offered Himself (Hebrews 9:14). And it is this same Holy Spirit who now applies the finished work of the cross to our lives, convicting us of sin, drawing us to repentance, regenerating our spirit, and empowering us to live in the victory Christ secured.
Good Friday’s Meaning for Believers Today:
Good Friday isn’t just a historical remembrance; its power resonates now. Through faith in the finished work of the cross:
- We have bold access to God’s presence.
- We are freed from the penalty and power of sin.
- We receive the cleansing and protection of Jesus’ blood.
- We can walk in victory over the enemy’s schemes.
- We can claim the promises of healing and wholeness purchased for us.
Looking Towards Resurrection Power:
Good Friday, in all its agony and triumph, sets the stage for Easter. The silence of the tomb was temporary. The victory won on the cross was about to be explosively demonstrated through the resurrection.
As we reflect on Good Friday this year (April 18, 2025), let’s look beyond the suffering to see the incredible victory won through vulnerability. Let’s thank God for the power of the blood, the defeat of the enemy, and the access we now have through Jesus. And let’s embrace, through the Holy Spirit, the life-transforming power of the cross as we anticipate the glorious celebration of His resurrection!
