The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

Apr 18

The Cross marks the turning point of Jesus's earthly mission. In these hours of tension and physical anguish on a Friday, where do Jesus's thoughts turn to and what words did He speak to His Father and to His followers? This Good Friday, join us for a time of worship and reflection as we explore the seven sayings of Jesus on the Cross."

Jesus Prays for Forgiveness

Scripture: Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Reflection: The act of Christ being led to the cross to be crucified represents one of the darkest chapters in human history. Those responsible for this horrific display constituted every corner of mankind - political leaders, religious figureheads, rich young rulers, peasants … the list goes on. Why would they do such a heinous thing?

Because they didn’t know what they were doing. Many, if not all, of them didn’t realize they were sending the most humble, righteous, sanctified man ever to walk the face of the earth to death - alongside much more deserving criminals, nonetheless.

But something great - in fact, THE greatest - gift ever came out of that day. Forgiveness. As we are poignantly reminded in Luke 23:34, Christ cried to his Father in Heaven to forgive every single person responsible for sending him the cross - simply because they did not know what they were doing.

That act makes it all the more real for us today, 2000 years later, as Christ daily chooses to forgive us for our multitude of sins - large and small. All he asks in return is that we extend that gift to everyone we encounter - family, friends, even enemies.

As we reflect on that gift now, Lord, help us to embrace the radical forgiveness only you can offer and to freely extend it to others minute by minute, every day.

Take a moment to reflect on that gift now.

Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace the radical forgiveness You offer, and to extend it to others.

Song: "Jesus Paid It All"

Jesus Promises Salvation

Scripture: Luke 23:43 – “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Reflection: Listen to the words of “Thief” by Third Day

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of salvation. May we trust in Your grace today.

Song: "Living Hope"

Jesus Cares for His Mother

Scripture: John 19:26-27 – “Woman, behold your son! … Behold your mother!”

Reflection: Think back to your childhood for a moment, specifically a time when you were sick. Who knew how to make you feel better when you felt miserable? Your mother. She knew all your favorites to coax you to eat and regain your strength. She cared for your physical needs, sat with you, most likely ending up entering into your germy state alongside you herself-- and she did so willingly because she loved you so much.

In this passage where Jesus addresses his mother from the Cross, the roles are reversed. We see Jesus, the Son, showing compassion on his mother, Mary. Even more remarkable-- he is the One in a state of agony and pain as he endured the Cross. He is the One who, though perfect, entered into Mary's-- and our-- sinful world to bring true healing. And in his final moments, Jesus made sure to secure care for his mother through John, the disciple he loved.

Father, may we, like Jesus, have eyes to see those around us in need. Soften our hearts to see the humanity in others. Move our hands, feet, and mouths as you lead to be instruments of your compassion and grace.

Take a moment to reflect on the Lord's compassion for his mother in his final moments and the example he set for us to have compassion for those in need.

Prayer: Lord, give us hearts that care for those in need, just as You cared for Your mother.

Song: “Follow You”

Jesus Cries Out to the Father

Scripture: Matthew 27:46 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Reflection: In this passage, we witness Jesus in a rare moment of despair. It is important to remember that this is Jesus: “God in the flesh”… Jesus, the only human to ever live up to God’s perfect standard… Jesus, who was tempted in every way and yet did not sin.

He had the supernatural power and authority to calm the wind and waves… to heal every disease and sickness… and even to resurrect people from the dead.

So why such a strong show of emotion? There have been many Christians who have willingly marched to their death for the sake of Jesus…

Why wasn’t Jesus more measured in his last moments on earth? What cause him to sweat blood, to be exceedingly sorrowful to the point of death while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why did he lay prostrate before God and plead that “this cup” might pass from him?

Because in this moment, we witness the son of God lose something so much more important than his physical life. He was being actively denied the loving, relational union he had experienced with his Father from the beginning of time. He had lost the one thing he desperately needed… and he cried out in deep agony.

Why was such a tragedy necessary?

Jesus was forsaken to provide the only way for us to experience the presence of God. He experienced the pain of separation from his Father so that we never have to.

Father, in our moments of despair, remind us that you are near.

Take a moment to reflect on the pain Christ bore for you and how God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Prayer: Father, in our moments of despair, remind us that You are near and that Christ bore our suffering.

Song: "How Deep the Father’s Love for Us"

Jesus Thirsts

Scripture: John 19:28 – “I thirst.”

Reflection: It is easy to often forget the humanness of Jesus.We acknowledge that he came to earth as a baby. That he walked with his disciples and taught others. And we even visit the story of him fasting for 40 days in the desert and Satan tempting him. We have heard tonight about Jesus praying for forgiveness for others, promising salvation to a sinner, and caring for his mother. If I am being honest, the things he has said up until this point would likely be impossible for me had I been whipped 39 times, carried a cross up a hill, and then nailed to a cross.

But what he says next is something I would likely say and feel if those things had happened.

Plain and simple and HUMAN. I am thirsty. Jesus may have been fully God, but he was also fully man. The suffering he experienced for our sake was REAL.

My question for us tonight is, are we thirsty?

Jesus said in John 7:37-39 “Let anyone who is thirst come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he mean the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Had Jesus not experienced suffering on the Cross, the Spirit of God would not have been given to us.

Jesus, I pray tonight that we would be thirsty. Thirsty for your presence. Thirsty to honor and glorify you. Thirst to experience your Spirit that is a living water flowing within us if we have accepted you as our Lord and Savior. If anyone has not accepted you tonight, I pray that they would accept the gift of life that only comes through you, the gift of living water that never runs out by your grace. You came to earth as a human, experienced human temptations and trials, and suffered and died so that you would be glorified, so that we would be saved. We need you, Jesus.

Take a moment and reflect on this; Are you thirsty for the living water that only Jesus provides? What steps can you take today to live in his presence?

Prayer: Jesus, satisfy our souls with Your presence. May we thirst for You above all else.

Song: "Lord, I Need You"

Jesus Declares It Is Finished

Scripture: John 19:30 – “It is finished.”

Reflection: Those are three beautiful words: It. is. Finished.

After praying with agony in the garden, facing cruel Pharisees, enduring evil nails, and hearing the mocking voices from the foot of the Cross, Jesus utters, “It is finished.”

He then bowed his head and he gave up his spirit. It wasn’t taken from him, no. He gave it up. This was the plan.

Everything that needed to be done was accomplished. The perfect obedience we ourselves couldn’t achieve— finished. The perfect life we couldn’t live— finished. The agony of moving ahead to the Cross while being alone and abandoned— finished. The payment needed for our lost and sinful souls— finished.

And yet still I sometimes live like there is still more to do to secure my salvation. Do you? Some days I live like I have to earn God’s forgiveness all over again. As if I ever really earned it in the first place.

These three beautiful words allow you and me to rest in the salvation secured for us at the Cross. Jesus did for us all that we could not do for ourselves. So on our worst days and our best days, the finished word of Jesus is where we find our hyope… not in our works and striving.

“It is finished” means you and I can rest in what Jesus has done. It is enough.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that we don’t have to strive for salvation. Help us to trust in Your finished work.

Song: “It Is Finished”