Today is Good Friday, a day to remember and celebrate the monumental reality that we are included in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Whether or not we yet know it, whether or not we have yet received it, Jesus died for each of us. Reconciliation between God and his beloved children, forgiveness of sin and conquering of death were fulfilled through the cross and resurrection for us.The importance of this indomitable fait accompli on our behalf can hardly be overstated. We are the recipients of grace, or unmerited favor, not because of anything we have done or not done, for Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves. We are invited to live in the reality of freedom, grace and peace made available to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.To be honest, I would much rather rush past the darkness of Good Friday and save my celebrating for Easter because I can’t quite label the death of Jesus, which still seems cataclysmic to me, as “good.” But this year I decided to be more intentional about observing Good Friday by reflecting on the final seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34Not even brutal beatings and being nailed to a cross prevented Jesus from extending forgiveness to his betrayers. As we struggle to forgive people who have wronged us or people we love, especially those who are not repentant or who have deeply harmed us, we can draw upon the radical forgiveness of Jesus. Our love and forgiveness are imperfect, but we have an advocate in Jesus whose perfect love and forgiveness have the power to transform us.Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43Jesus said this in response to one of the criminals crucified next to him, who said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). In what seemed like a completely hopeless situation, this crucified criminal entrusted himself to Jesus. There are countless circumstances that seem hopeless across the world - children dying, malnutrition, rampant violence, slavery, abuse. When we are tempted to turn away from these realities, we must remember, like the man crucified next to Jesus, that God is constantly at work turning death into life and invites us to trust and join him, even in the face of what appears hopeless.Woman, here is your son. John 19:26Mary, the mother of Jesus had the horror of witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion. Her presence at the cross is a reminder of Jesus’ humanity and his role as a son. Jesus tenderly connects his mother to the “beloved disciple,” most likely John, to ensure that she would be cared for in his absence. This compassionate action in his last moments before death is a reminder both of the importance of caring for family and also that the definition of family must extend far beyond biological boundaries for Jesus followers.My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Mark 15:34Martin Luther said, “God forsaking God. Who can understand it?” I for one cannot fathom what Jesus was experiencing when he cried out to the Father, nor can I construct a theology that answers all of my questions about this utterance. What I can conclude is that Jesus deeply knows the feeling of abandonment and is with me when I feel alone, rejected or hopeless. He is with me and for me, with you and for you, and will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20). He longs for us to experience his with-ness and to be with others in their suffering.I am thirsty. John 19:28This simple yet profound statement is a reminder that Jesus was mysteriously both fully God and fully man. He thirsted, he hungered, he shared all of our physical needs. We have a God who personally understands physical suffering, far beyond what most of us will ever experience. Jesus cares deeply about the physical needs of his sons and daughters, and calls us to be his hands and feet in meeting these needs around the world. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36).It is finished. John 19:30There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or less. The reconciling work of the cross and resurrection of Jesus is complete. Our calling is to live into this reality as the forgiven and redeemed sons and daughters we are, bringing Jesus’ unconquerable and incomparable grace, hope, love and peace to earth, here and now.Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. Luke 23:46Originally from Psalm 31, these words comprise a final expression of intimate trust in the Father. In life and in death, we are to follow Jesus in committing ourselves to the One whose love for us is fierce and trustworthy.Even after walking with Jesus for many years, the cross remains a mystery to me. What is not mysterious is the length to which Jesus went to embody love in his rescue of us. This is indeed good news, that we are included and belong in the faithful, loving arms of Jesus.Written by Elizabeth Hopfinger Thompson, eduKenya Communications Director