Why do we call the passion of Jesus 'Good Friday?' What is good about pain, suffering, and death? His passion was something He bore out of his love for humanity. Although He was sinless, he took on our sins and set us free from bondage to the past. He endured his suffering and humiliation patiently and without hatred or animosity. At the trial, Pilate chose friendship with Caesar over friendship with Jesus. The crowd chose Caesar as a king instead of Jesus. In a sense, humanity was on trial and convicted themselves. Judging by outward appearances, He was a pathetic figure to behold, and the movement of believers that He founded was finished. But God always has the final say, and God restored Jesus and his teachings to life. Suffering itself has no value but takes on value when it is endured for the sake of others, and with love. We can never impose it on anyone else.

Good Friday is not a time of blaming any group for the suffering of Jesus, for we are all responsible, both in the past and in the present. Whenever we are cruel, selfish, unkind, violent, or hateful, Christ is crucified again. This day is 'good' because it sets us free to love and serve.