Good Friday

OPENING WELCOME (approx. 2–3 minutes)

“Good morning, church family.

Today we pause for something sacred.

This is not a performance. It’s not a presentation. It’s a journey — a walk with Jesus through His final hours.

From a quiet garden… to the cross… to the tomb.

We’re going to reflect on 14 moments from the Passion of Christ — blending what Jesus experienced, and what He said.

You don’t need to move from your seat. Just breathe. Open your heart. Listen.

And walk with Jesus.

Let’s begin.”

🔹The Garden (Gethsemane)

📖 Matthew 26:36–39

Matthew 26:36–39 LEB

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be distressed and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

“Not my will, but Yours be done.”

💭 Reflection: Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow, yet He chose surrender. 🙏 Prayer: “Lord, help me say yes to Your will, even when it’s hard.” ✋ Action: Kneel or sit quietly Think of something hard you are facing. Whisper, “Your will, not mine.” 🧒 Kids: Close eyes and say, “God, I trust You.” 📲 Online: Kneel by your seat or pause in stillness.

🔁 Transition: “Jesus said yes to the Father — and yes to the cross. Let’s follow Him forward.” I want you to all move one chair please.

🔹The Betrayal

📖 Luke 22:47–49

Luke 22:47–49 LEB

While he was still speaking, behold, there came a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?”

“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

💭 Jesus was betrayed with affection by someone He loved. 🙏 “Jesus, thank You for staying faithful even when others failed.” ✋ Place your hand on your heart. 🧒 Whisper, “Jesus, You never leave me.” 📲 Online: Type in chat or journal, “You stayed. You loved.”

🔁 Transition: “From betrayal, Jesus walked forward — to a false trial. Let’s go with Him.”

🔹 Betrayal

📖 Luke 22:61–6

“Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

💭 Peter failed Jesus — and Jesus already knew it. 🙏 “Lord, thank You for loving me even when I fall short.” ✋ Clench then slowly open your hands. 🧒 Whisper, “Jesus still loves me.” 📲 Type: “You still love me.”

🔁 “Even in failure, Jesus never turns away. Now He stands trial, alone.”

🔹 The Trial

📖 Mark 14:61–64

Mark 14:61–64 LEB

But he was silent and did not reply anything. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What ⌊do you think⌋?” And they all condemned him as deserving death

“But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.”

💭 Jesus took the blame for crimes He didn’t commit. 🙏 “Jesus, You were silent so I could be forgiven.” ✋ Sit in silence for 20–30 seconds. 🧒 Say quietly, “Thank You, Jesus.” 📲 Mute distractions. Breathe.

🔁 “From silence, to suffering. Let’s move with Him.”

🔹The Beating & Mocking

📖 Mark 15:15–20

Mark 15:15–20 LEB

So Pilate, because he wanted ⌊to satisfy⌋ the crowd, released for them Barabbas. And after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over so that he could be crucified. So the soldiers led him away into the palace (that is, the governor’s residence) and called together the whole cohort. And they put a purple cloak on him, and after weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on him. And they began to greet him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they repeatedly struck him on the head with a reed, and were spitting on him, and ⌊they knelt down⌋ and did obeisance to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him, and they led him out so that they could crucify him.

“They struck Him on the head… and mocked Him.”

💭 He was mocked so you could be called beloved. 🙏 “Jesus, You wore shame so I don’t have to.” ✋ Place hand gently on your head. 🧒 Whisper, “You love me.” 📲 Reflect or post a 💔

🔁 “The suffering continues. And they place a crown on the King…”

🔹The Crown of Thorns

📖 John 19:2–4

John 19:2–4 LEB

And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and placed it on his head, and put a purple robe on him, and were coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were giving him slaps in the face. And Pilate came outside again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing him outside to you, so that you will know that I find no basis for an accusation against him.”

John 19:2–3 LEB

And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and placed it on his head, and put a purple robe on him, and were coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were giving him slaps in the face.

“They twisted a crown of thorns and set it on His head.”

💭 The King wore thorns so we could wear grace. 🙏 “Jesus, bring peace to my mind.” ✋ Touch your forehead gently. 🧒 Draw a little crown on your hand. 📲 Post 🌿 or 🙏 in chat.

🔁 “Now He is forced to carry the very cross He’ll be nailed to…”

🔹Carrying the Cross

📖 John 19:17

John 19:17 LEB

and carrying for himself the cross, he went out to the place called The Place of a Skull (which is called Golgotha in Aramaic),

John 19:17 LEB

and carrying for himself the cross, he went out to the place called The Place of a Skull (which is called Golgotha in Aramaic),

“Carrying His own cross…”

💭 Every step was for us. 🙏 “Jesus, help me carry what You’ve called me to carry.” ✋ Press your hands together. Feel the weight. 🧒 Pretend to carry a backpack. Whisper, “Jesus helps me.” 📲 Pause and breathe deeply.

🔁 “Now we come to the cross itself. The place of crucifixion.”

🔹The Crucifixion Begins

📖 Luke 23:33–34 🗣️ Saying: “Father, forgive them…”

Luke 23:33–34 LEB

And when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” there they crucified him, and the criminals, the one on his right and the other on his left. ⟦But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”⟧ And they cast lots to divide his clothes.

💭 Before we even asked, He forgave. 🙏 “Jesus, help me forgive like You do.” ✋ Whisper the name of someone you need to forgive. 🧒 Draw a heart. Say, “I forgive.” 📲 Post ❤️ or type, “I forgive.”

🔁 “While dying, He still gave life…”

🔹The Thief on the Cross

📖 Luke 23:39–43 🗣️ Saying: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

💭 A dying thief… saved by a whispered prayer. 🙏 “Jesus, thank You for saving me.” ✋ Place hand over your heart. 🧒 Say, “Jesus is with me.” 📲 Type: “Thank You, Jesus.”

🔁 “Even in His pain, Jesus shows compassion…”

🔹Caring for His Mother

📖 John 19:26–27 🗣️ Saying: “Here is your son… here is your mother.”

💭 Jesus still made room for love. 🙏 “Lord, show me who I can care for today.” ✋ Think of one person to reach out to. 🧒 Draw a smiley face for someone you love. 📲 Message someone now with encouragement.

🔁 “The sky goes dark. And His soul cries out…”

🔹The Cry of Abandonment

📖 Matthew 27:46 🗣️ Saying: “My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

💭 Jesus felt what you feel — loneliness, distance, pain. 🙏 “Jesus, thank You for never letting me go.” ✋ Close your eyes. Sit with this sorrow. 🧒 Say, “Jesus is with me.” 📲 Light a candle or post 🕯️

🔁 “The suffering continues, and Jesus whispers a human need…”

🔹“I Thirst”

📖 John 19:28 🗣️ Saying: “I am thirsty.”

💭 God felt human pain. He understands yours. 🙏 “Jesus, meet me in my weakness.” ✋ Take a sip of water or imagine it. 🧒 Say, “Jesus knows how I feel.” 📲 Post 💧 or 🫗

🔁 “Now comes the victory cry — the declaration…”

🔹“It Is Finished”

📖 John 19:30 🗣️ Saying: “It is finished.”

💭 Not “I am finished.” The work is done. 🙏 “Jesus, Your work is enough for me.” ✋ Open your hands in front of you. 🧒 Whisper, “Thank You, Jesus!” 📲 Type: “It is finished.”

🔁 “He bows His head… and gives up His spirit.”

🔹The Burial

📖 Luke 23:50–53 🗣️ Saying: “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

💭 He surrendered… so we could live. 🙏 “Father, I entrust my life to You.” ✋ Whisper: “I trust You.” 🧒 Draw a heart and say, “God, I give this to You.” 📲 Post 🙏 or say out loud, “I surrender.”

John 19:28–30 LEB

After this, Jesus, knowing that now at last everything was completed, in order that the scripture would be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a branch of hyssop and brought it to his mouth. Then when he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,” and bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

FINAL MESSAGE

“It is finished.” And then... silence.

Not just silence in the air — but silence in the hearts of everyone who had believed this man was the Messiah. The Deliverer. The One who would bring freedom. The One who would finally change everything.

Can you imagine what that moment felt like?

You’ve just spent three years following the One who could raise the dead with a word. You watched Him walk on water, feed thousands, open blind eyes. You believed He was invincible — untouchable — divine.

And now… He’s dead.

You watched as your Rabbi — your Rescuer — was beaten beyond recognition. You saw the One who calmed storms… now struggling for breath. You stood there helpless, as the One who had healed everyone else… hung helplessly on a Roman cross.

You watched blood drip from the hands that once touched lepers. You saw soldiers gamble for His clothes while His friends ran away in fear.

And then, with a final cry that shattered the silence of Heaven…

“Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

And just like that — it was over. He breathed His last.

That’s where we are today: In the silence of Good Friday.

And let’s be honest — it doesn’t feel “good,” does it?

It feels heavy. It feels quiet. It feels like loss. It feels like a funeral.

Because everything looked finished. All the hope, all the power, all the promises — buried in a borrowed tomb.

But what if we’ve been looking at it wrong?

What if what looked like defeat… was actually destiny? What if what looked like a tragedy… was actually triumph?

Let’s rewind the story.

Gethsemane

Before the whips, before the nails, before the shouting crowds — there was a garden.

A quiet place. A place where Jesus fell to the ground in sorrow and agony.

He knew what was coming — and He didn’t rush into it blindly.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death…” “Father, if it is possible… take this cup from Me.” “Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Matthew 26:38–39)

Jesus wasn’t numb. He wasn’t immune to fear or pain. He felt the weight of the cross before He ever touched the wood.

He begged for another way — but surrendered anyway.

That’s not weak faith. That’s real faith. Faith that obeys even when the heart is breaking. Faith that says “yes” when the body is screaming “no.”

Isaiah Saw It Coming

Centuries before Gethsemane, the prophet Isaiah described that moment — and the moments to follow — in painful detail.

“He was despised and rejected by mankind… a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… But he was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3–5)

He took up our pain. He bore our guilt. He carried what we couldn’t — so we could receive what we never deserved.

That’s grace. That’s substitution. That’s the gospel.

From Garden to Cross

From Gethsemane… to betrayal. From betrayal… to trial. From trial… to scourging. From scourging… to carrying the cross.

And every step, every breath, every lash — He took it willingly.

Because the joy set before Him… was you. The brokenness He carried… was yours. The punishment He endured… was ours.

He was mocked. Spit on. Stripped. He wore thorns so we could wear righteousness.

And on the cross, after hours of unimaginable pain, Jesus finally spoke — not in anger, not in regret — but in power.

Seven final sayings. Seven last breaths. Seven pieces of His heart, poured out for us.

He didn’t curse His enemies. He forgave them.

He didn’t scream for justice. He gave mercy.

He didn’t cling to control. He trusted the Father.

He declared it boldly:

“It is finished.”

What Does “Finished” Mean?

In Greek, it’s tetelestai — a term that means paid in full.

It was what accountants wrote across a cancelled debt. What judges declared when a sentence was completed. What merchants stamped when a transaction was done.

So when Jesus said “It is finished,” He meant the debt of your sin — cancelled. The shame of your past — lifted. The separation between you and God — gone. The work of salvation — accomplished.

Not “I am finished” — but “It is finished.”

He didn’t tap out. He conquered. He didn’t expire. He completed.

Who Are You in the Story?

And I don’t know where you find yourself in this story today…

Maybe you feel like Peter — ashamed of something you’ve done, thinking it’s too late.

Maybe you’re like John — staying near, but unsure what to do with your grief.

Maybe you feel like Mary — standing at the foot of suffering, asking “Why?”

Or maybe you’re like the thief on the cross — broken, empty, but desperate for hope.

He didn’t have a polished prayer. He just whispered, “Jesus, remember me.”

And Jesus turned to him — in the middle of His own agony — and said,

“Today, you will be with Me in paradise.”

That’s who our Jesus is.

A Savior who saves the undeserving. A King who welcomes the unworthy. A God who trades His life… for ours.

The Invitation

So what do we do with all this?

We sit in the silence of Friday… but we don’t despair.

We grieve… but we grieve with hope.

Because what we witnessed tonight — the pain, the cross, the silence — is not the end.

The tomb is full… But the story isn’t over.

And if you feel buried right now — under fear, or shame, or doubt…

Remember this:

Jesus was buried too. And He didn’t stay there.

He rose.

And because He rose — so can you.

But today… we wait.

We don’t skip past the pain. We let the weight of the cross hit our hearts. We remember the cost. So when resurrection comes, we’ll actually know what we’ve been raised from.

Response Moment

So if you’re carrying something tonight… If you’ve been holding control… If you’re ready to let go and trust the One who gave it all…

Just pray.

“Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” “Jesus, I trust You.”

That’s enough. That’s surrender. That’s the beginning of resurrection.

Final Line

Church, the stone is still rolled in front of the tomb tonight…

But don’t forget:

Sunday is coming.

Amen.