“Good Friday.” Do we wonder why Good Friday is given such an adjective, marking the day Jesus hung on the cross the same as common criminals? Good Friday also is known as Holy Friday and Passion Friday.

The day may also be referred to as Sacred Friday; or God’s Friday. Yet, whatever name we give the holy day two days before Easter, it is monumental and of precious value because of what Jesus said from the cross.

The New Testament writers record Jesus’ last words from the cross in all four Gospels. They have become valuable as his words from the cross explain Jesus’ agony along with his transformative faith and union with God consciousness. The first word speaks of forgiveness, thorough and complete release of the multitudes, including the Jewish holy men of any blame toward them for the crucifixion.

Jesus also speaks of accommodations for his mother. As he, according to the Gospels, asks John his beloved disciple to take his (Jesus’) mother into John’s family and under John’s care. Jesus spoke of forgiveness and eternal life for the penitent thief who hung beside Jesus. The profound healer and master-teacher, Rabbi Jesus said outstanding things from the cross before his death.

His greatest gift and legacy to all of us, is how he united in oneness with and devotion to his higher realm, God’s presence and power. In his time of greatest pain, he spoke from his dedication to his spirituality and gave us the deepest and most enlightening of Truth.

Not just for a day or Easter Holiday: He gave us eternal, liberating universal practices, words and examples for each one of us to live as free and holy beings now and forever. Happy Easter Weekend!