Every year, as Good Friday approaches, I find myself slowing down, reflecting, and reconnecting with the deeper meaning behind this solemn day. For many of us, Good Friday isn't just a religious observance—it’s personal. A sacred pause in the chaos of life. A time to remember the kind of love that changes everything.
I’ll be honest—Good Friday breaks my heart in the most beautiful way. It’s raw. It’s heavy. But it’s also filled with a kind of hope that only makes sense when you’ve been through pain.
What Is Good Friday?
Good Friday is observed during Holy Week, on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at a place called Calvary. It’s one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar—not a day for celebration, but a day for reverence, reflection, and quiet awe.But if you’re new to the story or exploring faith, here’s the big picture: Christians believe that Jesus, the Son of God, willingly gave His life to reconcile humanity with God. He was wrongfully accused, beaten, mocked, and executed on a cross—not because He did something wrong, but to take the weight of all the wrong we’ve done.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
It’s called “Good” not because it was painless—but because of what came from it: forgiveness, freedom, and the kind of love that changes everything.
Why Good Friday Still Matters Today
Whether you’re a lifelong believer, someone deconstructing religion, or just spiritually curious, I believe Good Friday speaks to something deep in all of us. We’ve all experienced heartbreak. We’ve all faced moments where life didn’t make sense. We’ve all wrestled with pain and longing.And Good Friday doesn’t rush us past that. It sits with us in the suffering.
For me personally, Good Friday is a powerful reminder of grace. The kind that doesn’t wait for me to get my life together. The kind that says, “I see you, I love you, and I’ve already made a way.”
It’s a day that reminds me that love isn’t just soft and sentimental—it’s sacrificial, raw, and real.
The Humanity of Jesus
One of the most relatable parts of the Good Friday story is how human Jesus was in those final moments. He felt fear, abandonment, pain—just like we do.“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said in the garden of Gethsemane.
— Matthew 26:38 (NIV)
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
— Luke 22:42 (NIV)
That prayer? That’s not the voice of a distant God—it’s the cry of someone wrestling with agony and choosing love anyway.
That’s why Good Friday hits different. Jesus chose the cross. Chose to stay when He could have run. Chose to carry the weight so we wouldn’t have to.
How I Observe Good Friday
Over the years, I’ve created my own quiet rhythm for observing this day. You don’t have to follow a certain formula, but here’s what helps me stay grounded:Attend a Church Service or Watch Online
Whether it’s a local gathering or a live stream, I set time aside to be part of a Good Friday service. The scripture readings, the somber music, the quiet space—it all helps me connect emotionally and spiritually.
Simplify or Fast
Some years, I fast from food. Other times, I simplify my meals. Not to earn anything spiritually—but to quiet distractions and be reminded of what really satisfies.
Read the Bible
If you’ve never read the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, it’s found in all four Gospels—Matthew 26–27, Mark 14–15, Luke 22–23, and John 18–19. Each one brings a different lens, but the pain and love are unmistakable.
Journal or Sit in Silence
Sometimes I write. Sometimes I just sit. Sometimes I cry. I let the weight of the day wash over me, and I ask God to meet me there.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
For Those Sitting in Suffering
Maybe you’re reading this and feeling heavy. Maybe you’ve experienced loss, betrayal, grief, or silence—and you don’t know how to move forward.
That’s the heart of Good Friday. It’s not a shiny, polished kind of hope. It’s a gritty, bloodstained kind of love. It meets us in the dark.
Jesus cried out from the cross:
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
— Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
He knows what it feels like to be abandoned. To be misunderstood. To be in pain. And the truth is—He didn’t run from it. He stayed in it, for you. For me. For every one of us who’s ever felt alone in our suffering.
But Here’s the Twist: This Isn’t the End
As heavy as Good Friday is, it doesn’t get the last word. And that’s what makes it so powerful.
The tomb wasn’t the end. Death didn’t win.
“It is finished.”
— John 19:30 (NIV)
Those words weren’t a cry of defeat—they were a declaration of victory. A love story sealed in blood and opened to all.
Because three days later, everything changed. And Easter became the answer to every hopeless Good Friday.
Why Good Friday Gives Me Hope
Even in the darkest moments of life, Good Friday reminds me that pain is not pointless. That silence doesn’t mean absence. That even when the world looks like it’s falling apart—resurrection is already on the horizon.“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
— Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
So if you’re in a Good Friday season—where things feel uncertain, or broken, or silent—I want to say this to you:
Hold on. You are not alone. The story isn’t over.
Final Thoughts
Good Friday reminds me of who I am, but more importantly—who God is. A Savior who didn't stay far away but stepped into our pain. A God who loves us not because we earned it, but because that’s just who He is.You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t even have to call yourself “religious” to be moved by a love like that.
So wherever you are on your journey—this Good Friday, I hope you’ll pause. I hope you’ll reflect. And I hope you’ll remember that even in the darkest moments, love is still speaking.