Preparing for Good Friday: The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross
One of the most powerful practices you can participate in to prepare your heart for Good Friday is reflecting on the Seven Last Words of Christ on the cross.
I’ve arranged them below for you chronologically, as Jesus spoke them.
Allow each word, each sentence, spoken by our Savior to pierce your heart with awareness of your sin and of God’s amazing forgiving grace.
The First Words
“Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).
The Second Words
“And Jesus said unto him, ‘I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:43).
The Third Words
“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, ‘Woman, behold thy son!’” (John 19:26).
The Fourth Words
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is, being interpreted, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34).
The Fifth Words
‘After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst’” (John 19:28).
The Sixth Words
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished’”: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).
The Seventh Words
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’” (Luke 23:46).
Join the Conversation
How are the seven last words of Christ, spoken nearly 2,000 years ago, impacting you today?
RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth
I stand in awe of the one who saved me and went to the cross for my sin. What he did for us and what HE will do for those who still do not know Him. IT is here where I passionately want all my life to point to Christ. If anyone is in Christ He is a new creation, the old one has gone and the new come. Inviting all those around me whom do not have a celebration to go to this Sunday and the ones to follow. To go therefore and Go……………….
Galatians 5:1
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13-14
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Ephesians 3:12
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Colossians 1:21-23
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
1 Peter 2:16
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
Bob thanks so much for your love for Christ pointing always to the Cross and the one who came to overcome the sins of the world. What a God we serve! Blessings to you and yours. steve