Today is Good Friday—the day Jesus, our Savior, paid our debt and ransomed our souls, defeating Satan and sin. Six hours of hell. Immeasurable physical, emotional, and spiritual pain endured by the Son of God on the cross. And yet, that agony resulted in immeasurable blessing, glory, and redemption for us.

Truly, Good Friday was only really good—for us.

Sometimes we minimize the suffering Jesus went through. Our minds can’t grasp it. So we unconsciously think, “Well, yes, it was suffering, and I’m so very grateful, but he was God, after all.” As if Jesus’ divine nature somehow dulled the nails or softened the blows. Maybe he drew on some secret reserve of strength, spiritually disassociating from the pain. But Philippians 2:7–8 reminds us that Jesus voluntarily laid aside the independent use of his divinity:

“Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:7–8)

The suffering was real. Unfiltered. And unimaginable.

Who among us can watch The Passion of the Christ or The Jesus Film without flinching or turning away?

The Gospels record seven final statements spoken by Jesus from the cross—commonly called the Seven Last Words. And they capture the full weight of Jesus’ suffering, the cost of our redemption, and the compassionate heart of God in the midst of sorrow.

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

This first word reveals Jesus’ humiliation. As the Roman soldiers drove the spikes through his hands and feet, Jesus—naked, bloodied, and exposed—was mocked by a jeering crowd. Soldiers gambled for his last earthly possession. The criminals crucified with him hurled insults.

But these people—how could they know that the one they were abusing was God in the flesh? Were they aware they were pawns in the cosmic battle of the ages? That Satan had stirred and manipulated their hatred and derision?

Yet Jesus forgives, lets go, releases. He saw past the cruelty and prayed for mercy. They didn’t know what they were doing. But Jesus did. And he willingly embraced shame—for us.

2. “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

The cross was a cruel device of torture. One does not speak easily from it. To do so meant excruciating pain—Jesus pushing up on pierced feet, dragging his bruised back against the rough wood just to catch a labored breath. Every word came at a cost. To speak was to suffer.

Yet in his greatest hour of need, the Lord of Life chose to speak words of comfort and hope to an undeserving sinner.

But wasn’t that his mission all along? Jesus said he “didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Here, Jesus spoke comfort. Hope. A promise to a dying thief who had nothing to offer but repentance. The first person to walk through heaven’s gates with the resurrected King was a repentant thief with nothing but trust. That gives hope to us all.

3. “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother.” John 19:26–27

In the late morning, just before the darkness fell, Jesus looked down and saw his mother. In the midst of bearing the sins of the world, Jesus tenderly ensured her care. He entrusted her to John.

Even in his agony, Jesus honored his earthly relationships. He fulfilled the command to honor father and mother. He showed that love does not disappear in suffering—it intensifies.

This was not a throwaway moment. It revealed Jesus’ heart: compassion, care, concern.

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34

Theologians have debated for centuries the exact meaning of these words. But one thing is certain: Jesus—who from eternity past had known only unbroken, intimate fellowship with his loving Father—now experienced separation and alienation for us. He was “made to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) And the God whose “eyes are too pure to look on evil and cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Habakkuk 1:13) turned away.

Could there be anything more crushing than that?

5. “I am thirsty.” John 19:28

Several of Jesus’ words from the cross are fulfillments of Old Testament Scriptures. They authenticate his claims as the promised Messiah:

• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Psalm 22:1

• “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” – Psalm 31:5

• “I am thirsty.” – Psalm 69:21

But just because Jesus’ suffering was foretold and intricately woven into the sovereign plan of God does nothing to diminish the reality of his human experience. Crucifixion involves immense loss of hydration. Can you imagine the depth of thirst Jesus must have endured—so great that the discomfort of thirst rose above even the pain of crucifixion?

Jesus suffered unimaginable thirst so that our deepest thirst might be satisfied. As he once said: “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” (John 4:14)

A Great Exchange took place: he suffered for us, so that we might be satisfied in him.

6. “It is finished.” John 19:30

Tetelestai. A single word in Greek—but rich with meaning. In the ancient world, it was stamped on receipts to indicate a debt paid in full. Jesus claims this word to declare that his suffering was worth it, the work was accomplished. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame.” (Hebrews 12:2)

His joy? Our salvation.

Forgiveness purchased.
Adoption secured.
Sin defeated.
Access granted.
Justice satisfied.
The curse broken.
Peace secured.
Hope restored.
Redemption accomplished.

It was—and is—finished.

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

These final words were not resignation—they were trust.

Jesus intentionally placed himself in the Father’s care and under his authority. He was declaring that God is faithful—that he can be trusted with all that we are and all that we have. Our lives are secure in his hands. And when that moment of transition comes—when we pass from life to LIFE—God will be there, ready to welcome us with open arms.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus

Seven Words, One Savior. Each word matters. Each word reveals something beautiful and powerful.

Forgiveness. Compassion. Tenderness. Agony. Humanity. Victory. Surrender.

They are more than dying statements. They show us the Savior’s heart and the Father’s love.

Good Friday was not good for Jesus. But it is unspeakably good for us.

May we never forget.