A Good Friday Sermon with John Ortberg

Jesus’ death on Good Friday wasn’t just a random event or some law-driven requirement—it was the intersection of political agendas, religious tension, and deep spiritual purpose. As he prepared to die, Jesus told his followers not to be troubled, because he knew what was coming. The world around him was full of messiah-hopefuls, violent revolts, and religious leaders trying to preserve power. Unlike others, Jesus refused to fight, withdraw, or compromise. He stood silent when it would have saved him and spoke only when it sealed his fate, showing that he was in control all along. From the garden to the cross, his choice to love, not retaliate, changed everything. This Friday isn’t just about what happened—it’s about who really held the power, and why Jesus laid his life down. 00:00 – What Did Jesus Mean by “Don’t Let Your Heart Be Troubled”? 01:00 – Why Did Jesus Have to Die on a Cross? 03:05 – Was Jesus a Threat to Caesar’s Empire? 08:29 – How Pilate Got Pressured Into Crucifying Jesus 16:07 – Did One Man Die to Save a Nation? 18:01 – Why Was Jesus Accused of Blasphemy and Treason? 20:18 – What Happened in the Garden of Gethsemane? 22:17 – Did Jesus Choose to Die? 24:51 – How Did Jesus Change the World? 26:51 – What’s the Final Word of the Cross? Join the conversation in our FB Group:   / 1cnqywvp9s   Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. John's new book STEPS is out! Check it out here: https://becomenew.com/steps/ Want to work the steps with a friend or small group? Visit: DoTheSteps.com 📧 Subscribe for daily emails with these videos and accompanying thoughts: https://bit.ly/46AZ0rN 🙏🏻 Need prayer? Text us at 855-888-0444, we would love to pray for you! 🙌🏻 Interested in content for leaders? Subscribe to Become New for Leaders: https://bit.ly/3PH4FWn Be sure to join our Facebook Group (link below) to continue the conversation and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel BecomeNew.Me and say hello 👋 in the comments. And make sure you tap the bell icon 🔔 to be notified when the next episode releases. CONNECT WITH US AT: 😊 Facebook Group:   / 1cnqywvp9s   🎙Podcast: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.com 🤳Instagram:   / become.new   📲 For daily alerts, text the word BECOME to the number 855-888-0444