Good Friday: Why the Cross Matters | Passion Week 2025

Today is Good Friday—the most somber and powerful day in Passion Week. In this episode of Behind the Mike Podcast, we reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the ultimate act of love that changed everything. Though dark, this day marks the moment when Jesus paid the price for our sins and opened the way to eternal life.

Join us as we walk through the events of Good Friday, explore key Scriptures like Luke 23, John 19:30, Isaiah 53, and Romans 6:23, and unpack what the cross of Christ means for your life today. Whether you're seeking hope, forgiveness, or a fresh start, this message is for you.

🙏 If you’ve never accepted what Jesus did on the cross, you can do that today. A prayer is included at the end if you're ready to surrender your life to Him.

🕊 You're loved. You're forgiven. Because of the cross.

⏱ CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to Good Friday
00:34 – Jesus Before Pilate
01:08 – The Crucifixion at Golgotha
01:47 – Jesus’ Final Words: “It is finished”
02:23 – Why Did Jesus Die? (Romans 6:23)
02:36 – Isaiah 53: The Suffering Servant
02:48 – What the Cross Means for Us
03:14 – You Are Deeply Loved (Romans 5:8)
03:17 – Complete Forgiveness
03:43 – Peace With God and Eternal Hope
04:09 – How to Accept Jesus (Romans 10:9)
04:37 – A Simple Prayer of Surrender
05:06 – Living Transformed by the Cross
05:35 – What’s Next: Saturday and Beyond

#GoodFriday #PassionWeek #JesusDiedForYou #EasterWeek #BehindTheMikePodcast #TheCross #Forgiveness #Salvation #JesusSaves

Transcript

0:00

Hey, welcome back to Behind the Mike Podcast as we journey through Passion Week. Today is Friday. Now it's the darkest day in human history. Jesus, the Son of God, is crucified. But here's the incredible thing. This day of death is also the day that love poured out for you and me. If you've ever wondered why Christians talk so much about the cross today, you'll see why it changed everything. After being betrayed, arrested, and falsely accused, Jesus is put on trial before Pontius Pilate. Who's the Roman governor? Though Pilate finds no fault in him, he gives in to the crowds, shouting, Crucify him!

From Luke 23L=: 0:47

4-2121, Jesus is beaten. He's mocked. He's crowned with thorns. Then he's forced to carry his cross to Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. There they nail his hands and his feet to the cross, and Jesus hangs between two criminals. While he's suffering, the people mock him.

Matthew 27: 1:11

40 records, if you're the Son of God, come down from the cross. But instead of defending himself, Jesus says in

Luke 23: 1:20

34, father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. After hours of agony, as death covers the land, Jesus cried out, it is finished,

John 19: 1:37

30 and he gives up his Spirit, the Son of God dies. But what did he finish? Let's get real. Why did Jesus have to die like this?

Well, Romans 6: 1:55

23 says, the wages of sin is death. Our sin, every lie, every selfish act, every rebellion against God. It separates us from holy God. And the only just payment is death. But here's where the good news comes in.

Romans 6: 2:19

23 also says, but the gift of God is eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus took our place. He became our substitute, taking the punishment that we deserve.

Isaiah 53: 2:34

5 says, he was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds were healed. When Jesus cried, it is finished. He wasn't defeated. He completed the payment for sin so that we could be forgiven and restored to God. So what does the cross mean for you and me? Well, number one, it means that you are loved more deeply than you can imagine.

Romans 5: 3:07

8 says, God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Listen, you don't have to earn God's love. Jesus already proved it on the cross. Number two, it means your sins can be completely forgiven no matter what you've done, who you've hurt. How broken. And you feel Jesus blood was enough to pay for all of it. Number three, it means you can have peace with God and hope for eternity. The cross isn't the end of the story, but it's where new life begins. Here's the big question have you accepted what Jesus did for you? If you've never accepted Jesus sacrifice for your sin, today is the day to do that. You see, Romans

10: 4:00

9 says, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It's that simple, but it's life changing. It means surrendering to Jesus and asking him to forgive you and choosing to follow him. Are you ready to do that? You can pray something like this right now. Jesus, I believe that you died for me. I know I've sinned, but I also know, and I believe that you paid for my sins on the cross. Please forgive me. Change me. Help me to follow you. I give you my life. Amen. If you prayed that prayer. Welcome to new life in Christ. Please reach out so I can help you take the next step. And for those of you already following Jesus, never let the cross become something we just talk about. Let it transform the way we live and love every day. Thanks for walking through this most powerful day of Passion Week with me. But the story is not over. Sunday is coming and with it resurrection and hope. Next time will reflect on Saturday. The waiting, the silence and what to do when God seems silent. Until then, remember you are loved because of the cross. Never forget that if today moved you. Please like, subscribe and share this with someone who needs to hear about Jesus. Love. And if you prayed to follow Jesus. Let me know in the comments or message me. I'd love to celebrate with you. Take care and God bless.