Good Friday is observed traditionally as the day on which Jesus was crucified. Jesus set the ultimate example of sacrifice in His once-for-all work on the cross. It reminds each of us that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The crucifixion of Jesus was a terrible event... We can't even begin to comprehend the pain that Jesus endured on the cross that day to sacrifice His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. Jesus Christ died a horrible death, a painful death, a death unspeakably cruel and vile, all because He loved humankind. So why is it called Good Friday? It's difficult to see what is "good" about all what happened on that dark day. What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good. However, it’s called Good Friday because; even while the world’s authorities were conspiring to perpetrate history’s greatest evil, God was working to bring about histories greatest good. Scripture says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God himself was acting to save the world from itself, once and for all. John 3:17 says “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” Why did Jesus died? 1 peter 3:18 tells us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” So the results of Christ’s death turn out to be very good. The crucifixion of Christ shows clearly the will of God concerning mankind. It is man’s disobedience and unbelief that causes him to perish in eternal damnation. The cross of Jesus Christ makes it very clear that God does not want us to perish. Salvation is God’s will for us. In other words God had allowed himself to be born as a man so that he could live and suffer among us, to serve as the perfect atonement for our sin, and to offer forgiveness and salvation to anyone who believes.
God incarnate suffered and died on the cross as a propitiation for the sins of all mankind. On the cross, Jesus suffered so that we would not have to suffer. Through the cross, we can be reconciled to God and each other. Bible says: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have hope for the future.
Two thousand years have passed since the Crucifixion Day, yet the Bible account enables us to visualize the day and event with a great deal of accuracy. While on the cross, Christ makes seven brief utterances. The words which Jesus uttered on the Cross are worthy of special consideration because of who uttered them, where they were spoken, and what they mean. They are precious because they are deep expressions of the Eternal son of God in His time of terrible agony in those moments when He actually paid the price of our redemption. From these Seven Words of Jesus we can draw strength and courage for our own walk on this earth as we follow Him. Allow these magnificent Words of Jesus from the Cross to speak to you today – Ponder it in your hearts by reflecting on his Words.
THE FIRST WORD
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS and RECONCILATION The first words that Jesus spoke after being nailed to the cross were ones of forgiveness. Jesus completed His work and said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” Gospel presents the sufficiency of Christ to save sinners (Luke19:10). So it makes sense that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness and reconciliation. That’s the point of the cross, after all. Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy that He would make “intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus is dying so that we might be forgiven for our sins, so that we might be reconciled to God for eternity. The wonder of this Word from the Cross is that there is forgiveness. Forgiveness for the disciples who forsook Jesus and fled in the night, Forgiveness for the evil ones who drove Him to the Cross, Forgiveness for the soldiers who nailed him to the tree, Forgiveness for the bitter hearts of his religious enemies, the priests and teachers, Forgiveness for every person who has ever sinned or made a mistake and Forgiveness for you and for me. Bible says “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).
THE SECOND WORD
Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
THE WORD OF ASSURANCE and SALVATION - God not only sees the whole world but he sees it made up of individuals. On that fateful day in the history of the world, it happened that there were two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus. Both had reviled Him (Matthew 27:40-44); but later, when one blasphemed Christ again, the other had a remarkable change of heart and responded, “Do you not even fear God?” (Luke 23:40). Even more extraordinary, he expressed faith that Christ would rule over God’s coming Kingdom. After speaking up for Jesus, he cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. This word from the cross teaches some wonderful truths. It illustrates that the way of salvation is remarkably simple. No man is beyond hope of redemption in whose soul still lingers some fear of God. And as he spoke, faith rose in his soul and he blurted out his appeal, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." It was a plea that did not fall on deaf ears. The response was immediate, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." The mercy of God is always ready to reach out to and save a soul, even at the last minute. God generously opens the door to heaven for those who will to repent of their sins.
THE THIRD WORD
"Woman, here is your son” (John 19:26-27)
THE WORD OF LOVE and COMFORT-Yet again Jesus is continuously compassionate to those around him, making sure that his Mother is cared for after his death.
When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27) The Second Word from the Cross ministered salvation to the penitent sinner, but the Third Word introduces us to the wider implications of this great salvation. It illuminates a new relationships as seen through the cross of Jesus, especially that of love. A psychologist once said, "there are two things that men want: power and love." At the very heart of all our wanting is the love that Jesus gave us on the cross. "Greater love has no one than this that one lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). This Third Word from the Cross reveals the relationship of Jesus with his disciple John, the one who had been closest to him. It didn’t require a long explanation for John to know what was meant. We read that from that hour John took Mary into his own home. Likewise, while our spiritual relationship with God is our most important commitment in life, we must never ignore the responsibilities we carry in our physical relationships. “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” is the second great commandment (Matthew 22:39).
THE FOURTH WORD
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
THE WORD OF DESOLATION and ATONEMENT- There’s Atonement and Redemption for you at the Cross. It is by His death that we are redeemed. “When we come to the 4th saying on the cross, we have reached the pinnacle of our Saviour’s suffering. It's been called "The Cry of Desolation," The bottom line is this. Jesus was alone on the cross. He faced loneliness like no other person. God the Father turned His back on His Son that day on the cross. This Word from the Cross points us to the cost of the atonement made. Sin isolates man from God. Sin cut off Adam from God in the garden. Sin cut off Jesus from the Father. Not His sin. Our sin, Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; if our sin put Jesus through such agony, how can we be so casual about it? If we really love God, we will hate sin. When Jesus said, "Why have you forsaken me," He was inviting all those who beheld Him on the cross to consider why He was there. Why was the Father separated from the Son? It’s because the Son was taking our sin; He was taking our place. Jesus was forsaken of the Father for our behalf and our benefit.
God’s law says “The soul who sins, he shall die.” That means because we have sinned we are destined to be forsaken of God forever. But you see, Jesus offered to pay that penalty on the Cross, for the Scriptures say, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed........” (Isaiah 53:4-6) Jesus faced the pain of being alone so that we might never be alone again. Jesus was bearing the wages of our sins, and therefore He had to be actually forsaken of God so that we need not be forsaken of God forever in the eternal regions of the lost. Sin causes suffering, and Christ bore its full weight, including the emotional trauma of comprehending how sin distances us from God.
THE FIFTH WORD
"I thirst" – (John 19:28)
THE WORD OF SUFFERING and FULFILMENT- Jesus suffered for us. There is suffering at the Cross but it leads you to the triumphant road of glory. Now, we come to His fifth statement. "After this, Jesus says, I thirst." Jesus had been on the cross nearly 6 hours. The 3 hours of thick darkness were nearly over. The hours of torture on the Cross took a tremendous toll on the body of Jesus. Execution by crucifixion was not a sudden death like being shot by a firing squad. It was a long drawn out, lingering death carried out under the Eastern sun. His wounded hands and feet would be quickly inflamed, resulting in a fever of thirst and His body would soon be dehydrated. Psalm 22 which anticipated our Lord’s passion speaks graphically of his condition, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth" (Psalm 22: 14, 15).
Although Jesus was divine he was also uniquely man and felt all the emotions and pain as we feel them. He said. "I thirst." Why did He say that? Because of what the Old Testament predicted In Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst." Psalm 69 prophecies that the Messiah will be humiliated, so does Psalm 22. The Old Testament predicted that He would be a Suffering Messiah. When Jesus suffered, He fulfilled prophecy. His death was no accident, and certainly no afterthought. It was the very plan of God. And it was revealed in the Word of God, hundreds of years ahead of time! Jesus uttered these words in order to fulfil prophecy and He also felt physical and spiritual pain. Jesus sees our brokenness. He knows us. He loves us. He suffered for us. He thirsts for lost men. And He bids us thirst for lost men, too. This Fifth Word from the Cross serves to tell us that there is suffering in the Cross. Yes, our Saviour’s sufferings were real. But Jesus was the victor over sin for you at the Cross.
THE SIXTH WORD
"It is finished" – (John 19:30)
THE WORD OF TRIUMPH and VICTORY - This Sixth Word from the Cross consists of one single word in the Greek - "It is finished"(John 19:30) or accomplished." It is a simple text but profound. Its implications are far reaching and enduring. This text tells us that Jesus had a task to fulfil. Jesus did not say, "I am finished," for that would imply that he died defeated and exhausted. Rather, he cried out "It is finished." There on the cross, Jesus finished what we started. "The Day He Finished What We Started" He finished the horrible problem that entered the world when our first forefather, Adam, sinned and brought the curse of God upon us. Jesus won the victory at the cross. We learn from Jesus' own lips what really happened on the cross. The prayer he prayed for Pardon, the paradise he offered to the sinners, the pattern of love and care he demonstrated for his loved ones, the punishment and the pain he suffered for us and the purpose he accomplished. Ponder on it. The endless hours of suffering were about over. The Saviour was about to die. It was for this cause that Jesus came into the world, and now He raises His voice in a triumphant shout: “it is finished!”
Now His suffering was finished. Furthermore, all that was prophesied and prefigured in the Old Testament concerning His death was fulfilled. And finally, the work of redemption was completed. Jesus Christ had tasted the death of which we deserved – and now the great transaction was done! These words specify not the end of Jesus’ life, but the completion of His task. The verb tense is perfect. “It is finished!” The purpose of His hour has been completed, and the consequences of His work are enduring.” Jesus' redemption work is complete, and sufficient. We need not add anything to it. "If Jesus won the victory over sin, Satan, and death, why do we still struggle? The problem is not with Jesus' provision. The problem is with us. We need to learn to live in light of what Jesus finished.
THE SEVENTH WORD
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit": (Luke 23:46)
THE WORD OF COMMITTAL and ETERNAL SECURITY - For six hours Jesus had been hanging on the Cross, and now we get a last look at His suffering face. His whole body is drooping and shivering with the last chill. His breath is growing feebler and feebler – until He gives one long, deep and marvellous affirmation again –" Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit." He died when He chose to die! Jesus died unlike any other person. His life was not taken. He gave it up. Just like He said in John 10:18, "No man takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have POWER to lay it down, and I have POWER to take it again." He found security in his Father’s hands and in so doing pointed the way to all who die believing. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, left this life with the same security. "Lord Jesus" he said, "receives my spirit." They have been used by countless believers in Christ ever since. This is the security that comes from knowing "him whom we have believed and are persuaded that he is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him." Jesus said "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you Rest. Yes, there is eternal security in the Cross of Christ.
