Some biblical scholars and believers argue that the day that saw the cruel torture and brutal killing of Jesus Christ cannot be considered a ‘good’ day. For this reason some call it “Black Friday.” In Germany it is called “Mourning Friday” (Karfreitag). To choose the right adjective, one must understand the significance of crucifixion.
When Saint Tirumoolar declared through his Tirumandiram between the 4th and 6th century A.D. Anbe Sivam (God is Love) and Onre Kulam, Oruvane Devan (there is only one race and only one God), it seemed this Saiva Saint was aligned with what the Bible had asserted earlier. This ‘one’ God is the creator, provider and protector of mankind. He is the embodiment of love and he loves the whole of mankind without any distinction. This relationship between mankind and God, and the cause of crucifixion, should determine whether this Friday is good or bad.
Humankind had committed grave sins against God by indulging in acts and things against his commands and aroused his wrath. As per his law, blood-shedding sacrifice had to be offered by sinners to appease him. His law was immutable. At the same time, he did not want his beloved creations to perish in the act of paying for their sins. So he ordered his son Jesus to become a man and offer himself as a sacrifice for all sinners.
Jesus came to the world some two thousand years ago, lived among the poor and the sinners, fought the inequities and injustice they were being subjected to by high priests and rulers, was condemned by the rulers and tortured and publicly killed on the Cross, as a criminal would be. This self-giving sacrifice reconfirmed God’s love for humankind and redeemed sinners. So, it is a Good Friday for the human race.
P. K. Joy
