I have been asked “What is good about Good Friday?”  Was it good for Jesus to be crucified and die?  Was it good for the crowds to cry out for his death and humiliate him so?  Actually, for my benefit and that of the whole world, yes it was good.  It is good that Jesus died.  If he hadn’t died we could not have the personal relationship with God that we do through Jesus.  If he hadn’t been willing to suffer the cross “despising the shame,” we could not be forgiven our sin.  If Jesus had not taken our sin upon Himself and become sin for us, we could not become the righteousness of God in Him.  I am so glad that He looked beyond the suffering and agony of broken fellowship with His Father to the joy of our redemption and became obedient unto the death–even the death of the cross.  I am glad He did this for me and for all who come to Him in faith.  (Hebrews 12:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)