THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

TEXT: LUKE 23:33-49

Jesus Christ unlike each one of us was born to die. You and I were born to live. The words Jesus Christ spoke from the cross give us deep insights into His love, mission and the redemption He accomplished for humanity.

These seven statements known as the “Seven words of Jesus Christ on the cross” express His forgiveness, mercy, fulfilment of prophecy and ultimate victory over sin and death on this Good Friday. Let us reflect on these words. Let us uncover their significance and how they apply to our Christian walk today. Each of these statements carries a divine message of hope, salvation and victory. Let us learn:-

“FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO”-Luke 23:34.

• This first statement from the cross reveals the heart of Jesus-full of love and forgiveness even for His enemies.
• Jesus Christ prayed for His executioners–(Isaiah 53:12)
• Even in His suffering, He interceded for those who crucified Him.
• True forgiveness is unconditional and in true forgiveness the forgiver pay the whole cost!!-(Matt. 6:14-15).
• Ignorance does not remove guilt but mercy prevails-(Acts 3:17-19). Forgiveness brings refreshing.
• Today Jesus Christ is still interceding for us before the Father.
• Many acted in ignorance, yet God extended grace.
• The power of intercession is so great, it’s ministry is the greatest that now Jesus ever lives to intercede before the Father for you and me –(Romans 8:34).
• Just like Jesus His master, Saint Stephen prayed for his killers-(Acts 7:60).

“TODAY, YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE”-(Luke 23:43).

• This statement of our Lord demonstrates God’s grace and the certainty of salvation.
• Salvation is by grace through faith—(Ephesians 2:8-9).
• The thief on the cross had no time for good works, he had no time for water baptism, he had no time to pick a Biblical Christian name, he had no time for baptismal classes or new member’s class but he was saved and was with Jesus Christ in paradise.
• Repentance and faith brings immediate restoration-(1st John 1:9).
• The thief acknowledged Jesus Christ and received forgiveness.
• Jesus Christ has authority over eternity–(John 14:2-3).
• Jesus Christ assured the thief of a place in paradise.
• You see dear friends no one is beyond redemption–(Isaiah 1:18).
• Even in the last moment, in the eleventh hour, mercy is available.
• God always welcomes the repentant sinner.

“WOMAN, BEHOLD YOUR SON!! SON, BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!!”-(John 19:26-27).

• The third word from the cross reflects Jesus Christ care for His mother and spiritual responsibility.
• We don’t know why many should be left in the hands of John while she had other sons like James.
• Jesus honored His Mother even in pain –(Exodus 20:12).
• He ensured her wellbeing before His death.
• The church is a family and Jesus Christ established a new relationship among believers–(Galatians 6:10).
• Jesus Christ provider for our needs–(Phil. 4:19).
• Jesus Christ assigned John to care for Mary’s future. Love requires responsibility –(1st Tim. 5:8).
• We must care for our families and brethren.
• A good example is Ruth’s commitment to Naomi–(Ruth 1:16-17)—love and responsibility go together.

“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”-(Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).

• This statement reveals the weight of sin Jesus bore for mankind on that cross of Calvary.
• Jesus Christ was made sin and the Father God cannot behold sin because of His Holiness.
• Jesus for the first time experienced separation from God–(Isa. 59:1-2).
• Sin separates man from God and Jesus took our place.
• He fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 22:1-3). He became sin for us–(2nd Cor. 5:21).
• He took upon Himself the penalty of sin, the price of redemption was costly–(1st Peter 1:18-19).
• Our salvation was paid for in full with His precious blood.
• Jesus Christ died a substitutionary death for us–(Gen. 22:9-14).
• Just like Isaac was spared, Jesus became our ultimate sacrifice.

“I THIRST”-(John 19:28).

• The fifth statement of Jesus Christ from the cross highlights Christ’s physical suffering and spiritual fulfilment.
• Jesus Christ entered real human suffering–(Heb. 4:15).
• He felt pain, thirst, and exhaustion as a man.

• He fulfilled prophecy in Psalm 69:21, thirst is deeper than physical thirst-1st John 7:27-38.
• Jesus Christ offers living water to those who believe His suffering was part of our redemption-Isaiah 53:5.

“IT IS FINISHED”-John 19:20.

• The sixth word of Jesus Christ from the cross was a declaration of victory.
• The work of salvation was now completed-Heb. 10:10.
• Jesus fully paid for our sins, the power of sin and death was broken-1st Cor. 15:55-57.
• Victory was secured through His sacrifice.
• The law of fulfilled in Christ-Matt. 5:17. The Old covenant was completed in Him. No more sacrifice is needed-Heb. 9:12-14. Jesus’ death on the cross was the final atonement.
• The veil in the temple was torn-Matt. 27:51.
• Access to God was made available to all through His blood, death and resurrection.

FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT”-Luke 23:46.

• The final statement of Jesus from the cross shows His trust in the Father even in death.
• Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life-John 10:17-18. No one took His life, He gave it.
• Now, death is not the end for the believer-2nd Tim. 4:7-8.
• Jesus Christ entrusted His spirit to God. Total surrender brings peace-Phil. 4:7.
• We must trust God in life and in death.
• God is faithful to receive His own-Psalm 31:5.
• Jesus committed Hid faith to the Father in faith, so did Stephen-Acts 7:59-60.

CONCLUSION

• The seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross are not statements of defeat, they are statements and declarations of love, redemption and victory.
• They reveal His heart for forgiveness, salvation, care, sacrifice, fulfilment of prophecy, completion of the work of redemption and total surrender to God the Father.
• May God help us to always walk in the power of the cross, to forgive like Jesus did, to rest in the finished work of our redemption, to endure and trust God completely and to surrender every area of our life to God alone.