Good Friday Meditation

Jesus spoke from the cross as he was dying. Seven words as they have come to be known. From these words we can hear whom our Lord addressed in his time of suffering.

First word; “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”. This of course is spoken to the Father on behalf of those crucifying him.

Second word; “Today you will be with me in paradise”. This is a surprising word to us. Our Lord suffering as a prisoner of Rome speaks to his fellow inmate. Words of comfort and assurance. Can any more powerful metaphor be given to show us our state and our responsibility to our fellows?

Third word; “Woman behold your son….behold your mother.” A conversation with the one who bore him and the disciple who loved him.

Fourth word; “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is traditionally taken as Christ’s cry in agony. I don’t dispute it, but I wonder if it could also be the common method of teaching; quoting the first line from the Psalm would in the mind of the hearer recall the entire Psalm. Psalm 22 verse 1 is being quoted and if you were to read the Psalm you would see it describes the crucifixion event to the tee.

Fifth word; “I thirst”. We assume our Lord is thirsty, parched upon the cross. But his consistent compassion echos his earlier words “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” His thirst for the will of the Father as he spoke to the Samaritan woman, “Give me a drink”, answering his disciples he said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work”.

Sixth word; “It is finished”. This is a continuation of the previous word. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” Accomplish and finished are English translations of the same Greek word, teleo.

Seventh word; “Father into your hands I commend my spirit” Another quotation from the Psalms this time Psalm 31:5. An appropriate prayer at such a time. All who know him would know this to be our Lord’s default prayer. Confirmation that his Father was with him. “He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”