6 Scriptures to Reflect on This Good Friday

Introduction

Good Friday calls us to pause and reflect on the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice. His death was not an isolated event, but the culmination of God’s redemptive plan that started in the Garden of Eden. These six passages guide us through Scripture, showing the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and its central place in God’s story.

1. Genesis 3:15 – The First Promise of Redemption

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

This verse, often called the “protoevangelium,” is the first glimpse of God’s plan to defeat sin and Satan through the coming of a Savior. From the very moment humanity fell into sin, God promised a Redeemer—Jesus, the one who would crush the serpent’s head. The cross was the fulfillment of this first promise.

2. Isaiah 53:3-7 – The Suffering Servant

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

This prophecy from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of Christ’s suffering. Jesus bore our sins and suffered in our place, bringing us healing and peace through His wounds. This passage shows that the cross was not an accident but the fulfillment of God’s plan foretold centuries before.

3. Psalm 22:16-18 – A Foretelling of the Cross

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

Written by David, this psalm foreshadows the events of the crucifixion. The specific details—the piercing of hands and feet, the mockery, and the casting of lots—show that Jesus’ death was part of God’s unfolding plan. It reminds us that the cross was foretold long before Christ’s arrival.

4. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – The Great Exchange

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The cross is where the great exchange takes place—Jesus, who was sinless, took on our sin so that we could be made right with God. This verse highlights both the cost of our salvation and the incredible grace God extends to us through Christ.

5. Hebrews 10:19-23 – Confidence Through Christ’s Blood

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we now have direct access to God. The cross tore down the barrier of sin, allowing us to confidently approach our Heavenly Father. On Good Friday, we remember that Christ’s death was not just about suffering—it was about opening the way for us to have a relationship with God.

6. Revelation 5:9-10 – The Lamb Who Was Slain

“And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."”

The cross was not the end of Jesus’ story—it was His victory. In heaven, Christ is worshiped as the Lamb who was slain, who redeemed people from every nation. Good Friday is somber, but it ultimately points to the triumph of Easter Sunday.

Closing

As we reflect on these passages, let’s take time to sit in the weight of Good Friday. Jesus willingly endured the cross for us, so that we might be brought into God’s family. The sorrow of this day makes the joy of Easter all the more glorious.