Relevance of Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday or Easter Friday. Christ chose to stand against the nexus of politics, trade and religion and was crucified for it. But just like evil can’t prevail for long, he rose on the third day, when we celebrate Easter. 

According to the gospels, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday. The morning following Christ’s arrest, he was brought before Annas, a powerful Jewish cleric. He condemned Jesus for blasphemy for refusing to repudiate Annas’ words that He was the Son of God. Then he was sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province. Pontius questioned Jesus but found no reason to condemn him. Instead, he suggested Jewish leaders deal with Jesus according to their law. But under Roman law, they could not execute Jesus, so they appealed to Pilate to issue the order to kill Jesus. To prevent a riot and to protect his station, Pilate agreed to execute Jesus and sentenced him to crucifixion. 

Many spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.