Tetelestai and Why "Good Friday" is Good

Tetelestai.  It is what Christ uttered as he drew his last breaths on the cross, according to John.  "It is finished."  Tetelestai.  John wrote this, the Greek translation of an Aramaic word.  It is an accounting term meaning "paid in full."  With His death, He wiped mankind's slate clean; the debt of sin was removed from the books completely and forever.

So it's called Good Friday because our debt was paid for us?  That's the simplified view.  Justin Holcomb, an Episcopal priest, author, and teacher, takes a short paragraph to explain it quite well.  I have included a link to his paper if you'd like to read the entire article.

"The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace."

http://www.christianity.com/god/jesus-christ/what-s-so-good-about-good-friday.html

"Jesus endured the cross...knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God's reign of righteousness and peace."  That's something good, isn't it?  Yet, many ask where this peace is hiding.  It certainly can't be found throughout this world today.  Everywhere you look there is civil war, rebellion, invasion, genocide, torture, murder, and much of it being done in the name of the one true God.  Where is this peace and righteousness?  Look to Luke 22:34 and see if you can identify with Peter:

"I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me."

Just as Peter denied Jesus three times, so do we continue to deny Him today?  Ask yourself, where is the pious man who lives his life in the service of others?  When was the last time you spoke to God?  Who among us can honestly say our soul is prepared for His kingdom?  Christ was tortured and crucified to buy us a second chance and still we deny Him.  When I see Christians condemning other Christians because they disagree; when I see Christians damning all followers of Islam for the actions of a few; when I see followers of Islam killing other followers of Islam and innocent women, and children; I have to ask myself, why?  Why do any of us feel we deserve the love of the Father?  Even Pope Francis declares, with all humility, that he is a sinner!  Do any of us dare to think we can put ourselves before the pope, that we are more righteous?  I think not.

So, why is Good Friday good?  Because we have been given the gift of divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace and that gift lay at the feet of all of us.  We have only to open the box to enjoy it.  But, before you open this gift, ask yourself one more question.  Do you remember guilt?

I am a firm believer that nothing in this life comes without a price, even a gift from God.  It isn't God's toll for the gift.  The gift is free, to all mankind.  The toll is the inner guilt you will carry forever by accepting this wonderful gift knowing you have done nothing to deserve it.  Guilt is a heavy burden, heavy enough to make us deny ourselves entry to the Kingdom.  I firmly believe we make our own hell and we wallow in it until we find the path out.

On this Good Friday praise God that you have been given this fine gift, but don't forget it came at great cost to the world.  Try to be worthy of it.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research.  Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.