Good Friday Sermon: The Cross and the Crown

Scripture: John 19:16–30; Isaiah 53:3–6

John 19:16-30 WEB
So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. [17] He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”, [18] where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. [19] Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” [20] Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. [21] The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” [22] Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” [23] Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. [24] Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. [25] But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” [27] Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home. [28] After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty!” [29] Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth. [30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Isaiah 53:3-6 WEB
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him. [4] Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Today we come to the darkest and most sacred hour of Holy Week. The crowds have vanished, the tables are silent, the garden is empty. Jesus is now in the hands of soldiers, dragged before judges, crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross.

Good Friday. The day when God’s love was poured out through suffering. The day when the innocent Lamb bore the sins of the world. The day when death appeared to win—but in reality, was being undone.

John tells us that Jesus was led out, bearing His own cross, to the Place of the Skull. And there they crucified Him—between two criminals, hung up as though He were one Himself. Above His head, a sign reads: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” It was meant as mockery, but it spoke a deep truth. He is the King. But His crown is of thorns, His throne a cross, His victory found in surrender.

As we gaze at the cross today, we must confront the cost of our redemption. Isaiah 53 tells us that He was “despised and rejected,” “a man of sorrows,” and “pierced for our transgressions.” The suffering of Jesus was not random or meaningless. It was substitutionary. He took what we deserved, so that we might receive what He deserved. In this sacred exchange, justice and mercy met, and love held nothing back.

Consider the words Jesus speaks from the cross. “Father, forgive them.” Even in agony, His heart is toward mercy. “I thirst.” He shares our physical pain and deep human need. “It is finished.” Not a cry of defeat, but of fulfillment. The work of salvation, the long-awaited plan of redemption, is complete.

This is the heart of the gospel: that God would go this far to bring us home.

Good Friday is a day of sorrow, but it is not a day without hope. The cross was not the end for Jesus, and it is not the end for us. But we must sit with it. We must not rush to Easter morning too quickly. We must stand at Calvary and let the weight of what Jesus endured settle into our hearts.

Here, at the cross, we see:

• The seriousness of sin.
• The depth of God’s love.
• The path of our salvation.

Application: Today, be still before the cross. Let the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice become personal. Read the Passion story slowly. Consider what it cost Him—and what it means for you. If you feel burdened, ashamed, or lost, know that the cross speaks louder than your failures. You are loved, forgiven, and made new—through the blood of Jesus.

Prayer: O Crucified Lord, today we remember the weight of the cross You carried for us. Thank You for enduring such pain, not for Your own sake, but for ours. Help us to take in the depth of Your love. Let the cross reshape our lives—humbling us, healing us, and drawing us ever closer to You. Amen.

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