If Christ remained in the tomb, and never rose from the dead, there would be no Christian faith. If Jesus did not overcome death and sin, there would be no purpose to our faith. If he remained in the grave, we would too.
Why did Jesus have to die such a gruesome death in such a specific way? To answer this question we have to first examine the role of sin and evil in the world and then get to know God a bit better.
God wants a relationship with us regardless of all our messes and misdemeanours. This why he sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins, to cleanse us and permanently close the chasm between us and God. Jesus also taught his disciples how to surrender and is the ultimate example for us in submitting to the will of God.
Easter Sunday is a joyful day. After the agony of Good Friday, Jesus has risen from the grave! His resurrection fills us with hope for our resurrection and eternal fellowship with Jesus in Heaven.
On Good Friday Jesus went through excruciating pain, physically, emotionally and spiritually. He is the ultimate example of perfect and complete love as he endures the most awful, painful death.
Try to imagine what Jesus must have gone through during the Last Supper, praying in the garden of Gethsemane and as he was arrested. Holy Thursday starts with a group of friends dining together and ends with Jesus deserted and alone.