Good Friday: The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross
In this Good Friday message, Pastor Shane revisits Jesus' seven sayings on the Cross. Click here for the recording of this 4/18/25 Service, and you can fast-forward to 16:19 to get to the start of the sermon.
Introduction
A man is often known for his last words
I suppose that if I knew I had the luxury of knowing that which I was speaking were my last words,
To my wife- “Know that I loved you to the end. I’ll see you in Heaven.”
To my children and grandchildren- “Know that I loved you and your mother/Grammy. Follow Christ.”
To those I’ve attempted to disciple, I would say- “Know that I loved you. I tried to point you to the cross. Follow Christ.”
To my Lord- “Take me home.”
What would yours be?
What were the last words of Christ?
#1: Luke 23.34
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
He petitions the Father for their forgiveness on the basis that they are ignorant of the gravity of their actions
Question- Are you mindful of what you do, why you do it, and its consequences?
“Life is a series of choices, and we live [and die] with the consequences our choices” (Dobbins)
#2- Luke 23.43
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Jesus made it clear to the thief on the Cross that that very day, he would be with Him in Paradise
All he asked of Christ was to be remembered
"How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, no financial gifts, and no church clothes. He couldn't even bend his knees to pray. He didn't say the sinner's prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn't take way his pain, heal his body, or smite his scoffers. Yet, it was a thief who walked into paradise the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who He said He was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the lobby. Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray." (2/24/23 Facebook posting)
Don’t overthink it- just reach out to Him
#3- John 19.26-27
Jesus to Mary- “Woman, behold your son.”
Jesus to John- “Behold, your mother.”
Where was Joseph?
We know that Jesus had half siblings. Why were none of them there?
We can see here that He left provision for the person He loved
If you were to die soon, for whom would you want to leave provision?
#4- Mt 27.46, Mk 15.34
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Enkataleipō- forsake, leave, abandon
Theologians have been trying to explain this for a long time
Heb 13.5- “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (citing Dt 31, Josh 1) How does this work, in light of the above?
Suffice to say, there are some things one will do with only the presence of Jesus…
#5- John 19.28
“I am thirsty.”
People have often had more trouble with the humanity of Jesus than with His divinity
He had to take on human form, or He could not relate to us
Again, vere homo, vere deus- very man, very God
Do you realize, that in some way, He was one of us?
Can you imagine Jesus, at your dinner table; shooting a round of trap, playing a round of golf, sitting on your front porch, helping you on the farm, running the vacuum cleaner for you…?
#6- John 19.30
“It is finished.”
He accomplished what he set out to do
Do you know what His mission is for you, and will you complete it?
#7- Luke 23.46
“Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”
Pneuma- the immaterial part of the inner person that can respond to God
Are you willing to yield your real, eternal self to Him?
