Friday before Easter
5 Good Friday Sermon Ideas
Good Friday services are quieter, smaller, and more reflective — the people who come are usually the most spiritually serious in the congregation. The preacher's task is to dwell on the cross without rushing to Sunday.
These ideas help pastors preach the cross in its full weight — without spoiling the resurrection's surprise three days later.
Luke 23 / John 19
1. The Seven Last Words
Christ's final sentences from the cross summarize the gospel.
- •Father, forgive them.
- •Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
- •Woman, behold thy son.
- •My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
- •I thirst.
- •It is finished.
- •Father, into thy hands.
John 19:30
2. It Is Finished
Tetelestai — the debt paid in full.
- •The Greek word tetelestai.
- •What was finished — and what was not.
- •Receipts and account books.
- •Why you cannot add to a finished work.
Matthew 27:50–51
3. The Veil Was Rent
The cross opens what the temple kept closed.
- •The temple veil — its size and meaning.
- •Rent from the top to the bottom.
- •Access into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
- •Come boldly.
Mark 15:33–39
4. Surely This Was the Son of God
The first Gentile confession comes from a Roman soldier.
- •Darkness over the whole land.
- •The centurion's view of Christ dying.
- •What the cross reveals about Jesus.
- •The first of an innumerable company.
Isaiah 53:4–6
5. He Bore Our Sins
Substitution is the heart of the cross.
- •Surely he hath borne our griefs.
- •Wounded for our transgressions.
- •The chastisement of our peace was upon him.
- •The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Recommended readings
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 — The suffering servant.
- Psalm 22 — Quoted by Jesus from the cross.
- Matthew 27 / Mark 15 / Luke 23 / John 19 — The four crucifixion accounts.
- Hebrews 9:11-28 — The theological meaning of the cross.