Good, Good Friday Text: Luke 23:32-43
There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”[h]
And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Two criminals,(one on the left, and one on the right) Calvary, (Golgotha) Verse 33 says, they nailed Him to the cross. However, Philippians 2:8 tells us that, Jesus Christ became obedient to death, meaning, He stayed obedient to the cross. He could have called for legions of angels for deliverance. However, instead, Christ proceeds to forgive those who beat Him. They gambled for his clothes, mocked him, and even told Him to come down if He was the Son of God. Everyone even one of the thieves on the cross wanted Christ to come down, but no one wanted to serve Him!
However, the other thief, looked at Christ and said just a few words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Weight of sin, more than ever
Guilt within, more than ever
punishment, more than ever
Help us Lord, Help us Lord
Angry crowd, more than ever
Confused world, more than ever
Doubt and fear, more than ever
We need you Lord, We need you Lord
A cross to bear, more than ever
Crown of thorns, more than ever
Nail pierced hands, more than ever
We Love you Lord, We love you Lord
Grace and mercy, more than ever
Souls saved, more than ever
His blood delivers, more than ever (Con’t)
Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord
Isn’t it amazing, while Jesus prepared to die, He makes one tall commitment to a thief on his cross. “Today, you shall be with Me in paradise.”
It’s said that Winston Churchill planned his own funeral in St. Paul’s Cathedral. He included great hymns of the church. After the benediction a bugle prayer positioned high in the dome played “Taps,” the universal signal that says the day is over. Next another bugle prayer, placed on the other side of the great dome, played “Reveille”- “It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up in the morning.”
“Remember, taps, seems to cover the atmosphere now, but there’s a reveille on the way!”
Today, on this Good Friday, we should pause, and be thankful for Christ, and worship Him for the decisions He made for us, this week.
Prayer
