Good Friday: Remembering Jesus’ Last Words

Good Friday holds profound significance to me. It’s my second favorite holiday, just after Easter. In my home church there is a lot of symbolism at the Good Friday service. As the service goes on, the sanctuary becomes darker and the candles on the altar are extinguished one by one. By the end of the service, it is completely dark inside the sanctuary. Then, all of the sudden, you hear a noise like a stone being pushed, symbolizing Jesus’ body being put in the tomb.

Often times, during the service, we go through Jesus’ seven last words or statements. This is also something that many of the churches led by GFA-supported pastors do for one of their Holy Week services. I’d like to share with you the words Christ spoke as He died on the cross, and what I’ve gleaned from them.


“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:34

This was Christ’s first statement, and through this, He showed forgiveness for His enemies and the whole human race, whose sins put Him on the cross. This is an amazing love, which is only borne from God.

After Jesus, believers in Him have been persecuted and even martyred, but yet they are still able to show extraordinary love toward those who have made themselves their enemies. In 2016, around 90,000 Christians were killed for their faith, that’s one every six minutes. In most cases, their last words were not full of hate but love and forgiveness for their persecutors. Stephen, the first Christian martyr recorded in the Bible, echoed Christ’s words of forgiveness while he was being stoned to death (see Acts 7:20). Through Jesus’ example, many of His people have the courage and strength to forgive.

Jesus’ second statement on the cross was to the thief that hung next to Him.

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

These words show the expansive reach of God’s mercy and grace. It doesn’t matter how many terrible things we’ve done in the past, when we repent and trust in Jesus, we can be with Him for eternity. Even someone who lived their life contrary to God’s law by murdering (or being a thief), can find redemption, as long as they turn to Christ. Their past can be washed clean by His blood, and they can be with Jesus in the next life.

Jesus’ third statement on the cross shows how he honored His mother even till the end. He provided care and protection for her through his disciple, John.

“Woman, behold your son.” —John 19:26–27

As believers, God gives us new families, even if our blood family forsakes us or dies. He provides the body of Christ to take care of other believers. In many nations where Christianity is not practiced, turning to Jesus can mean shame or even death. Just like Jesus provided Mary a spiritual son, so He provides believers a new family, especially if they’re outcast. This is still happening all across Asia, especially when new believers are disowned by their families. But the Lord takes care of them by making sure their new church family is there to take them in.


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