When Good Prevails

Luke 23:44–49 ESV

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Hindsight is 20/20

There is a saying in the English language, “Hindsight is 20/20”.

Events that happen in the moment seem so complex and difficult, but when looking back, knowing how it unfolded, it gives us insight and realization of what we did wrong or did right.

It’s a valuable tool to remember in life. Not only that, it also helps us to cope with our past.

When life is happening, it can be challenging and even painful.

However, after time has passed, we are able to look back at the experience and find good in it — We can find light in the darkness.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

Our past is sometimes painful. Our history are full of scars. How can we find good in such painful experiences and hurt from the past?

The reason why so many people are no longer Christians today is because of the hurt from their past. They haven’t gotten over it. When they’re reminded of it, it’s painful. They refuse to return to church because church reminds them of a God who didn’t help.

Hebrew Culture View of Life

Consider how the Hebrew culture viewed life.

Today, we have motor boats and ships that moves forward as the captain or the sailor looks toward the destination.

However, in the ancient days, when they got on a boat, the sailor would sit with his back toward the destination and row his oars facing his past.

This is how the Hebrews viewed life. They understood the importance of knowing their past in order to know their destination.

No matter how bad their experience was in the past, it couldn’t be ignored. It’s their way of saying, it shouldn’t be ignored.

But why?

Perhaps, it’s because they know something good about the past that we, today, often ignore or forget.

Good Friday

2,000 years ago, Jesus was arrested, hung on the cross, humiliated and chastised even though He was an innocent man.

One could say, this is part of the past worth forgetting or ignoring.

Who would want to admit to such a grave mistake? Jesus did not commit a crime, Jesus did not break any laws, and yet He was crucified — It wouldn’t be a surprise that this is wiped from the record books.

Instead, here we are talking about it over and over again every year.

Not only that, we attached an ironic name to this day where we remember the death of our King — We call it “Good Friday”.

Crucifixion was purposely and intentionally designed to create the worst and most painful human experience. So, how can we call this day good?

Many of us had events that traumatized us.

Some of us experienced failure.

Some of us experienced abuse (physcial, emotional, verbal or worse).

Some of us experienced sickness.

Some of us experienced death of our loved ones.

Imagine celebrating an anniversary of these tragic and painful events and calling it good. Saying, “Wasn’t that day great! Wasn’t it good!?”

It feels off-putting. It’s in bad taste. In fact, it’s simply rude.

Then why do we remember the death of Jesus on the cross and call it good?

All Things Work For Good

The Bible teaches us a powerful lesson.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We read that all things work together for good! Then this means our failures, broken relationships, sicknesses, and death are all good according to God.

How do we make sense of this?

Perhaps, this story will help.

In Genesis, we find a story of Joseph who lives a challenging and difficult life.

He is envied and eventually sold to slavery by his own brothers.

He is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned.

He helps people get out of prison, but they forget about him.

It’s not until Joseph found himself as the prince of Egypt and stood before his brothers begging for food that Joseph broke down in tears and said:

Genesis 45:4–5 ESV

So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Joseph understood that his brother’s plan for evil turned out to be good.

Now, I’m sure Joseph was frustrated, angry, and heartbroken as he experienced such tragic and devasting circumstances.

However, in the end, just as God promised, it all worked together for good.

When Good Prevails

Good Friday is that reminder for us today that God’s goodness always prevails.

No matter what we’re going through right now, no matter how difficult and challenging life might be, we have a good God who always wins.

That’s why we call it Good Friday.

When Jesus died on the cross, the impending resurrection marks His death a victory.

So, we celebrate today the goodness of God — His victory 2,000 years ago and the victories we have through Him today!