4/3/26 - Good Friday Service: Seven Last Words of Christ

Main message: Jesus’ words from the cross show his mission: offering forgiveness to those who crucified him, identifying with and carrying our deepest thirsts and sins, and surrendering his spirit in sovereign obedience — all fulfilling prophecy and opening the way to salvation and hope.

Key points:

• “Father, forgive them” demonstrates Jesus’ active forgiveness for people who did not repent, presenting himself as mediator and fulfilling scripture.
• The cry quoted from Psalm 22 and references to David/Psalm 23 emphasize that the crucifixion was prophetic, purposeful, and under God’s control.
• “I thirst” is portrayed as a holy, redemptive thirst: Jesus entering human suffering, bearing sin, and becoming the source of living water and satisfaction for the soul.
• Jesus’ final surrender (“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”) models intentional submission and invites believers to cast their burdens on God.
• Good Friday is framed as “good” because the cross accomplishes redemption and points forward to resurrection and victory.

Scriptures mentioned: Isaiah 53:3-6, Luke 23:34, Psalm 22, Psalm 23, John 19:28, Luke 23:46, John 4, Mark 15, 1 Corinthians, Romans, 1 Peter 5:7