The Significance of Good Friday
Learn MoreTHE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY
Learn MoreWhat is Good Friday really about?
While Easter is widely known, today we’re delving into the significance of the lesser-known holiday, Good Friday. Join us as we explore the meaning behind this day and how people celebrate it. We hope to not only inform you about Good Friday but also inspire you to intentionally celebrate its profound meaning on your own.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday, observed on the Friday before Easter, is a time for contemplation of Jesus’ death on the cross. Good Friday is part of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Other names for Good Friday include Holy Friday, Sorrowful Friday, Great Friday, or Sacred Friday. In 2025, Good Friday falls on Friday, April 18 and Easter falls on Sunday, April 20th.
You might wonder why a day centered around Jesus’ death on a cross is called “Good.” There is a mystery in that God brought something good out of destruction and death in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Jesus came to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. (Luke 4:18) He challenged those who benefited from the pursuit of power and privilege over the well-being of the vulnerable and the “least of these”. Jesus was tortured, humiliated, and publicly crucified for challenging the injustices of the Roman empire. Jesus still challenges us to love our neighbors, care for the sick, widows and orphans. Jesus calls us to welcome immigrants, all who are oppressed and marginalized and even love our enemies.
Good Friday sets the stage for celebrating Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, making it a crucial part of the Christian faith. Jesus’ death and resurrection show us that that God’s divine love for us can never die, even in death of the body. and the Holy Spirit is always working to bring new life out of death.
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Should Christians Celebrate Good Friday?
Many churches worldwide observe Good Friday. It’s worth noting that the Bible doesn’t explicitly direct followers to honor this day. God grants us the freedom to engage in religious holidays, including Good Friday. Scripture encourages us to remember Jesus’ death as we take Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper (Corinthians 11:24-26).
Whether you decide to participate in the tradition of Good Friday or not, the key is to consistently remind ourselves that Jesus Christ forgives us of our sins and shortcomings so that we may live in wholeness with ourselves, with God, and with each other. Good Friday is a personal choice guided by faith and reflection rather than a strict biblical mandate.
How to Observe Good Friday
Traditionally, many churches that honor Good Friday choose to hold a more somber worship service. They sing songs that reflect on Jesus’ death, take Holy Communion, and study Scripture based on Jesus’ death. Some services even incorporate physical symbols like a cross raising, passion plays, or stations of the cross to highlight Jesus’ sacrifice.
Regardless of the specific elements, Good Friday is a day for worshippers to come together, humble themselves before God, and thank Jesus for paying the ultimate price to redeem and liberate all people.
Things To Do On Good Friday
Remember, God grants us the freedom to decide if and how we observe Good Friday. To help you intentionally reflect on Jesus’ death, here are some suggestions for Good Friday or any other day:
Wake up a little earlier to spend time alone with Jesus.
Begin your day with quiet time, prayer, and quiet reflection on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. Meditate on the depth of His love and the impact it has on your life.
Attend a Good Friday service at your local church.
Participate in a Good Friday service, where you can engage in worship, study Scripture centered around the crucifixion of Jesus, and join fellow believers in worship.
Write a letter to Jesus thanking Him for all He has done.
Express your gratitude and feelings through a heartfelt thank you letter to Jesus. Acknowledge the blessings, grace, and transformative power His sacrifice has brought into your life.
Share the story of Good Friday.
Take the opportunity to share the significance of Good Friday with friends, family, or colleagues. Try asking if they have Easter plans, and let the conversation naturally unfold, providing an opportunity to share the deeper meaning of this holiday.
Take the Lord’s Supper, confessing any sins or unforgiveness in your heart.
Taking the bread and cup, whether individually or within your local church, offers a tangible and symbolic reminder of Jesus’ forgiveness. Use this time to express gratitude, confess any sins, and seek forgiveness.
Read and meditate on relevant Scriptures.
Spend time in prayerful contemplation of Scriptures related to Jesus’ death, such as Mark 15:21-41 and Isaiah 53:1-12.
Create a visual representation of the Good Friday story.
Use art, drawings, or craft materials to create a visual representation of the Easter story. This hands-on activity can deepen your connection to the narrative and serve as a visual reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Listen to worship music focused on Good Friday.
Create a playlist of worship songs that specifically address the themes of Good Friday, such as “Man of Sorrows” and “Jesus Paid it All.” Let the music guide your prayers as you reflect on the significance of the day.
Good Samaritan is offering two ways to mark Good Friday on Friday, April 18th. We will have an online worship experience available any time after noon on our Good.org “Watch & Listen” page and our YouTube Channel. This will offer a meditative time of quiet reflection. We will also offer an in-person self-guided experience with stations from 2-8 pm on our Good Samaritan Campus. This will be a multi-sensory experience which will contain elements of our online worship as well. We hope you can find a place and time to worship and reflect with us.
However you choose to celebrate Good Friday, we invite you to spend Easter weekend with us at Good Samaritan UMC. Our doors are open, and we look forward to reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus together.