Today, we consider Christ’s experience on the cross, we grieve our sin which brought about His suffering, and we give thanks for what He chose to endure for our sake. Let us meditate on seven statements - the last words uttered by Christ on the cross, as He died our death and accomplished the will of the Father.

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You may read the following quietly to yourself, or aloud together if you are gathered with others. For an immersive experience, you may also listen along to The Last Words of Jesus here.

The Last Words of Jesus

1 | Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

"Two others who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." | Luke 23:32-34

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2 | Today, you will be with me in paradise.

"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." | Luke 23:39-43

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3 | Behold your son, behold your mother…

"...Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clops, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” | John 19:25-27

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4 | My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

"And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' Which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" | Mark 15:33-34

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5 | I thirst.

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), 'I thirst.' A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth." | John 19:28-29

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6 | It is finished.

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished!' And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." | John 19:30

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7 | Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." And having said this he breathed his last.” | Luke 23:44-46

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A Prayer for Good Friday

God in Heaven,

We look upon the cross in grief,

Confessing that our sin is deserving of death 

And our wrongs have warranted Your holy wrath.

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We look upon the cross in gratitude,

Receiving the righteousness of Christ

Which has come to us not by merit but as a gift of mercy.

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We approach Your throne of grace with confidence,

Taking on the freedom granted to us

And asking again for Your cleansing and renewal.

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Thanks be to God for Christ;

All glory and honor to Him

For His love and His sacrifice.

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Amen

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See our other Easter Weekend Liturgies:

Holy Saturday Liturgy            Easter Sunday Liturgy

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