Good Friday

A Word of Forgiveness
Luke 22:27-30; 32-34

As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed them, including women who mourned and wailed for Jesus. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” Two others, both criminals, were also led out with Jesus to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha, there Jesus was crucified, along with the criminals–one on the right, the other on the left. 34Jesus said, “God, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

A Word of Promise
Luke 23:39-43
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Jesus. They said, “Jesus saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked Jesus. They offered Jesus wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above Jesus, which read THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Jesus: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal said: “Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this person has done nothing wrong.” Then the criminal said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

A Word of Compassion
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood Jesus’ mother and mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the Beloved disciple standing nearby, Jesus said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your child,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took Jesus’ mother in as family.

A Word of Despair
Mark 15:33-34
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, Jesus’ calling Elijah.” One person ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave Jesus alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down,” they said.

A Word of Suffering
John 19:28
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

A Word of Acceptance
John 19:29-30
A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. Jesus had received the drink and said, “It is finished.”

A Word of Release
Luke 23:46
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When Jesus had said this, he breathed his last.

• Take time to read the verses.
• Sit in silence for a few moments to contemplate what you have read.
• What word or phrase stands out to you?
• Read the verses again.
• Sit in silence for a few moments to contemplate what you have read.
• Ask yourself once again, what word or phrase stands out to you this time.
• Feel free to leave a comment on the blog with the insights, questions or thoughts that came to you as you read the scripture.