Good Friday 2026

Intro

I am so thrilled that we are able to gather together again tonight in reverence and awe of our Savior Jesus and what He has done for us.

We gather this Good Friday recognizing that this Friday is indeed, good. Not because of the pain that our Savior went through, but because of the result, redemption.

This past Sunday at Genesis, we talked about the 7, seemingly ordinary, days leading up to the crucifixion and tonight we are going to take time to talk about the 7 things the Savior saw fit to speak from the cross.

The reality is this: Jesus knew the outcome of the crucifixion, he knew the pain He would face, but ultimately He chose the cross for us. Then, for our good and the Father’s glory, spoke 7 perfect times from the cross. In pain, in agony, He picked himself up on the nails to utter these 7 phrases.

They are good. They are important.

These are the 7 Last Sayings of Christ from the Cross.

Father, Forgive Them …

Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

Do we realize who Jesus was talking about here?

It wasn’t the disciples, it wasn’t His family. It wasn’t His friends.

It was the very people who nailed Him to the cross. The very people who cried “crucify Him” just the night before! It was the enemies of the cross.

Why did Jesus cry out “Father forgive them!”?

Because these are the ones Jesus came to save.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The ones who knew not what they do, they are the lost. The confused. The ignorant to the grace of Jesus Christ.

Don’t you realize the imagery here tonight?

These who knew not what they did, they are you and I!

Prior to our relationship with Christ Jesus, we knew now what we did. We lived in sin and didn’t know better.

We needed the grace of an almighty God because we knew not.

Unfortunately, many today do know what they do, yet do it anyway.

This should not be.

Jesus came to seek and to save those who know not what they do so that they then DO know what they do. At that point, they can recognize grace, and live in it, without deliberate sin.

The grace of Jesus poured out on the cross begins with the very first words He uttered. The very first step. Father, forgive these lost sinners, for they know not what they do.

However, Jesus wanted them to know what they did. He wanted them to recognize their sin and repent. This is why He cried out “Father forgive them” not “Father smite them.”

This is what He offers us today as well.

This is what He offered that thief hanging next to him.

Today … Paradise

Luke 23:39–43 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

I ask this every year, but I wonder still. Where does the thief on the cross fit in your theology?

Jesus hung between two criminals, criminals who deserved punishment.

Jesus, perfect, innocent, and sinless, hung between sin as He became sin for us.

And, with the two thieves, we see the reality of the world.

One mocks. One repents.

This is the state of the world today.

Many see Jesus and mock Him and His church.

Some, though, like the thief, realize what Jesus did on the cross, and choose to repent and follow Him.

This is what the one thief did.

He never preached, he never taught Sunday School. He never even got baptized.

But, that very day he joined Jesus in heaven.

We see the beauty of the gospel in the thief on the cross. Not only did He join Jesus. But he defended Him.

This is our call as Christians.

Trust in Jesus for forgiveness. Trust that this sacrifice was enough. Repent of your sin. Defend the Gospel. Jesus cries out on your behalf and offers you a place in paradise.